Glossary
Agricultural (land use)
Land dedicated to farming, crop cultivation, and livestock raising.
Example:
Vast fields of corn and soybeans stretching across the Midwest exemplify agricultural land use.
Clustered Settlements
A rural settlement pattern where homes and farms are grouped closely together, often around a central point like a church or market.
Example:
Many traditional European villages, with houses tightly packed around a central square, are classic examples of clustered settlements.
Commercial (land use)
Land used for businesses, retail, and services, such as shops, offices, and restaurants.
Example:
A bustling downtown area filled with stores, banks, and eateries represents commercial land use.
Dispersed Settlements
A rural settlement pattern characterized by isolated farms and residences spread out across the landscape, with significant distances between them.
Example:
The vast farmlands of the American Midwest, where individual farmhouses are miles apart, illustrate dispersed settlements.
Environmental Factors
Physical characteristics of the land, such as climate, topography, and natural hazards, that influence its suitability for different uses.
Example:
Mountainous terrain or flood-prone river valleys are environmental factors that limit extensive urban development.
Government Policies
Regulations, zoning laws, taxes, and infrastructure projects implemented by authorities that shape and control land-use decisions.
Example:
A city's decision to zone a specific area for only single-family homes is an example of government policies influencing land use.
Industrial (land use)
Land allocated for manufacturing, factories, warehouses, and other production-related activities.
Example:
Large factories and distribution centers located near a port or railway line are typical of industrial land use.
Land-use patterns
The spatial arrangement and organization of how land is utilized in a specific area, encompassing various categories like residential, commercial, and agricultural.
Example:
A city's land-use patterns might show a dense downtown commercial core surrounded by residential neighborhoods, with industrial zones near major highways.
Linear Settlements
A rural settlement pattern where buildings are arranged in a long, narrow line, typically following a transportation route like a road or river.
Example:
A village stretching for miles along a riverbank, with houses facing the water, is a clear example of a linear settlement.
Long Lot
A survey method that divides land into narrow parcels stretching back from a shared resource, such as a river or road, ensuring equal access for all properties.
Example:
In parts of Quebec, properties extend as thin strips from the St. Lawrence River, demonstrating the long lot system.
Market Demand
The influence of what people want and need on how land is used, driving development towards specific purposes.
Example:
An increase in population and desire for more housing can lead to agricultural land being converted to market demand for residential development.
Metes and Bounds
A survey method that uses physical features, directions, and distances to define property boundaries, often resulting in irregular shapes.
Example:
An old deed describing a property boundary as 'from the old oak tree, 100 paces north to the creek, then following the creek east' is using metes and bounds.
Natural (land use)
Undeveloped land preserved for ecological purposes, recreation, or simply left in its natural state, such as forests, parks, and wetlands.
Example:
A national park protecting a diverse ecosystem is a prime example of natural land use.
Natural Resources
The availability of environmental assets like water, fertile soil, or minerals that dictate suitable land uses.
Example:
Regions with abundant freshwater and rich soil are often developed for natural resources like intensive agriculture.
Residential (land use)
Land designated primarily for housing, where people live.
Example:
Suburban areas with single-family homes and apartment complexes are examples of residential land use.
Rural Settlement Patterns
The spatial organization of communities and homes in areas outside of cities, influenced by resources, climate, and culture.
Example:
The way farms and villages are arranged across the countryside reflects distinct rural settlement patterns.
Rural Survey Methods
Techniques used to divide and distribute land in rural areas, influencing property boundaries and ownership.
Example:
Understanding historical rural survey methods helps explain why some regions have grid-like farms while others have irregular property lines.
Township and Range
A systematic survey method that divides land into a grid of 6-mile square townships, further subdivided into 1-mile square sections, common in the American West.
Example:
Flying over the central United States, you can often see the checkerboard pattern of farms and roads, a direct result of the township and range system.
Transportation
The ease of moving goods and people, which significantly impacts the location and type of land use, especially for commercial and industrial activities.
Example:
Areas near major highways or railway hubs often become centers for logistics and manufacturing due to excellent transportation access.