A Framework for Planning Sustainable Residential Landscapes

TLDR

Long‑term community health and prosperity depend on natural processes and landscape function, and without a healthy environment communities face uncertain futures, necessitating new philosophies and land‑use practices. The authors propose a normative vision and planning framework that urges planners to re‑examine priorities and regulations to sustain landscape processes and protect ecosystems in residential environments.

Abstract

Abstract The authors present a normative vision and planning framework for protecting landscapes and ecosystems. They suggest that good planning of residential environments requires that planners re-examine priorities and regulations from the point of view of sustaining landscape processes and functions. The health and prosperity of communities over the long term depends upon natural processes and landscape function. Without a healthy environment, human communities face uncertain futures. Planning to sustain landscapes implies not only a new philosophy but also different land-use practices within communities.