# Land development

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Landscape alteration

[Subdivision](/source/Subdivision_(land)) land development

Since their invention, heavy equipment such as [bulldozers](/source/Bulldozer) have been useful for [earthmoving](/source/Earthmoving) in land development.

**Land development** is the alteration of [landscape](/source/Landscape) in any number of ways, such as:

- Changing [landforms](/source/Landforms) from a [natural](/source/Natural) or semi-natural state for a purpose such as [agriculture](/source/Agriculture) or [housing](/source/House)

- [Subdividing](/source/Subdivision_(land)) [real estate](/source/Real_estate) into [lots](/source/Lot_(real_estate)), typically for the purpose of building [homes](/source/Home)

- [Real estate development](/source/Real_estate_development) or changing its purpose, for example by converting an unused [factory](/source/Factory) complex into a [condominium](/source/Condominium_(living_space))

## History

Land development has a history dating to [Neolithic](/source/Neolithic) times around 8,000 BC. From the dawn of civilization, the process of land development has elaborated the progress of improvements on a piece of land based on codes and regulations, particularly housing complexes.

## Economic aspects

In an economic context, land development is also sometimes advertised as **land improvement** or **land amelioration**. It refers to [investment](/source/Investment_(economics)) making land more usable by humans. For accounting purposes, it refers to any variety of projects that increase the [value of the process](/source/Property_value). Most are depreciable, but some land improvements are not able to be deprecated because a useful life cannot be determined. [Home building](/source/Home_building) and containment[*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*] are two of the most common and the oldest types of development.

[Scraper](/source/Wheel_tractor-scraper) pan pickup and drop off to level the terrain

In an [urban](/source/Urban_development) context, land development furthermore includes:

- [Road construction](/source/Road_construction) - [Access roads](/source/Access_road), [walkways](/source/Walkway), and [parking lots](/source/Parking_lot) - [Bridges](/source/Bridge)

- [Landscaping](/source/Landscaping) - [Clearing](/source/Deforestation), [terracing](/source/Terrace_(agriculture)), or [land levelling](/source/Land_levelling) - Land preparation (development) for gardens

- Setup of [fences](/source/Fence) and, to a lesser degree, [hedges](/source/Hedge)

- Service connections to [municipal services](/source/Municipal_service) and [public utilities](/source/Public_utility)

- [Drainage](/source/Drainage), [canal systems](/source/Canal)

- External lighting ([street lamps](/source/Street_lamp) etc.)

A [landowner](/source/Landowner) or developer of a project of any size will often want to [maximise profits](/source/Profit_maximization), minimise [risk](/source/Risk_analysis), and control [cash flow](/source/Cash_flow). This "profitable energy" means identifying and developing the best scheme for the local marketplace, whilst satisfying the local planning process.

**Development analysis** puts development prospects and the development process itself under the microscope, identifying where enhancements and improvements can be introduced. These improvements aim to align with best design practice, political sensitivities, and the inevitable social requirements of a project, with the overarching objective of increasing [land values](/source/Land_value) and [profit margins](/source/Profit_margin) on behalf of the landowner or developer.[1]

Development analysis can add significantly to the value of land and development, and as such is a crucial tool for landowners and developers. It is an essential step in [Kevin A. Lynch](/source/Kevin_A._Lynch)'s 1960 book *[The Image of the City](/source/The_Image_of_the_City)*, and is considered to be essential to realizing the value potential of land.[2] The landowner can share in additional planning gain (significant value uplift) via an awareness of the land's development [potential](/source/Economic_potential). This is done via a residual development appraisal or residual valuation. The residual appraisal calculates the sale value of the end product (the gross development value or GDV) and hypothetically deducts costs, including planning and [construction](/source/Construction) costs, finance costs and developer's profit. The "residue", or leftover proportion, represents the land value. Therefore, in maximizing the GDV (that which one could build on the land), land value is concurrently enhanced.

Land value is highly sensitive to [supply and demand](/source/Supply_and_demand) (for the end product), build costs, planning and [affordable housing](/source/Affordable_housing) contributions, and so on. Understanding the intricacies of the development system and the effect of "value drivers" can result in massive differences in the landowner's sale value.

## Conversion of landforms

Land development places more emphasis on the expected [economic development](/source/Economic_development) as a result of the process; "land conversion" tries to focus on the general physical and biological aspects of the [land use change](/source/Land_use_change). "Land improvement" in the economic sense can often lead to [land degradation](/source/Land_degradation) from the ecological perspective. Land development and the change in land value does not usually take into account changes in the ecology of the developed area. While conversion of (rural) land with a [vegetation](/source/Vegetation) carpet to [building land](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Building_land&action=edit&redlink=1) may result in a rise in [economic growth](/source/Economic_growth) and rising [land prices](/source/Land_price), the [irreversibility](/source/Irreversibility) of lost flora and fauna because of [habitat destruction](/source/Habitat_destruction), the loss of [ecosystem services](/source/Ecosystem_services) and resulting decline in [environmental value](/source/Environmental_cost) is only considered *a priori* in [environmental full-cost accounting](/source/Environmental_full-cost_accounting).

### Conversion to building land

Motorway construction in Ireland

**Conversion to building land** is as a rule associated with [road building](/source/Road_building), which in itself already brings [topsoil](/source/Topsoil) abrasion,[3] [soil compaction](/source/Soil_compaction)[4] and modification of the soil's chemical composition through [soil stabilization](/source/Soil_stabilization), creation of [impervious surfaces](/source/Impervious_surface) and, subsequently, (polluted) [surface runoff](/source/Surface_runoff) water.

Building construction

Construction activity often effectively seals off a larger part of the soil from [rainfall](/source/Rainfall) and the [nutrient cycle](/source/Nutrient_cycle), so that the soil below buildings and roads is effectively "consumed" and made [infertile](/source/Soil_fertility).

With the notable exception of attempts at [rooftop gardening](/source/Rooftop_garden) and hanging gardens in [green buildings](/source/Green_building) (possibly as constituents of [green urbanism](/source/Green_urbanism)), [vegetative cover](/source/Vegetative_cover) of higher plants is lost to [concrete](/source/Concrete) and [asphalt](/source/Asphalt_concrete) surfaces, complementary interspersed [garden](/source/Garden) and [park](/source/Park) areas notwithstanding.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

### Conversion to farmland

In Argentina and Bolivia, the [Chaco](/source/Chaco_(Paraguay)) [thorn forest](/source/Thorn_forest) (A) is being felled at a rate considered among the highest in the world (B), to give way to [soybean](/source/Soybean) cultivation (C).

New creation of [farmland](/source/Farmland) (or 'agricultural land conversion') will rely on the conversion and development of previous [forests](/source/Forest), [savannas](/source/Savanna) or [grassland](/source/Grassland). Recreation of farmland from [wasteland](/source/Barren_vegetation), [deserts](/source/Desert) or previous impervious surfaces is considerably less frequent because of the degraded or missing [fertile soil](/source/Soil_fertility) in the latter. Starting from forests, land is made [arable](/source/Arable_land) by assarting or [slash-and-burn](/source/Slash-and-burn). [Agricultural](/source/Agriculture) development furthermore includes:

- Hydrological measures (land levelling, drainage, [irrigation](/source/Irrigation), sometimes [landslide](/source/Landslide) and [flood control](/source/Flood_control))

- [Soil improvement](/source/Soil_improvement) ([fertilization](/source/Fertilization_(soil)), establishment of a productive chemical balance).

- Road construction

[Oil palm](/source/Oil_palm) plantation and rainforest fragment on Borneo

Because the newly created farmland is more prone to [erosion](/source/Erosion) than soil stabilized by [tree roots](/source/Tree_root), such a conversion may mean irreversible crossing of an [ecological threshold](/source/Ecological_threshold).

See also: [Horton overland flow](/source/Horton_overland_flow)

The resulting [deforestation](/source/Deforestation) is also not easily compensated for by [reforestation](/source/Reforestation) or [afforestation](/source/Afforestation). This is because [plantations](/source/Plantation) of other trees as a means for [water conservation](/source/Water_conservation) and protection against wind [erosion](/source/Erosion) ([shelterbelts](/source/Shelterbelt)), as a rule, lack the [biodiversity](/source/Biodiversity) of the lost forest, especially when realized as [monocultures](/source/Monoculture).[5][6][7][8] These [deforestation](/source/Deforestation_and_climate_change) consequences may have lasting effects on the environment, including [soil stabilization](/source/Soil_stabilization) and [erosion control](/source/Erosion_control) measures that may not be as effective in preserving [topsoil](/source/Topsoil) as the previous intact [vegetation](/source/Vegetation).

### Restoration

Massive land conversion without proper consideration of [ecological](/source/Ecological) and [geological](/source/Geological) consequences may lead to disastrous [results](/source/Land_degradation), such as:

- General [soil degradation](/source/Soil_degradation) - Catastrophic [soil salination](/source/Soil_salination) and [solonchak](/source/Solonchak) formation, e.g., in [Central Asia](/source/Central_Asia), as a consequence of irrigation by saline [groundwater](/source/Groundwater) - [Desertification](/source/Desertification), soil [erosion](/source/Erosion) and ecological shifts due to drainage - [Leaching](/source/Leaching_(agriculture)) of saline soils

- [Habitat loss](/source/Habitat_loss) for the wildlife.

While deleterious effects can be particularly visible when land is developed for industrial or mining usage, agro-industrial and settlement use can also have a massive and sometimes irreversible [impact](/source/Environmental_impact) on the affected ecosystem.[9]

Examples of [land restoration](/source/Land_restoration)/[land rehabilitation](/source/Land_rehabilitation) counted as land development in the strict sense are still rare. However, [renaturation](/source/Ecological_restoration), [reforestation](/source/Reforestation) and [stream restoration](/source/Stream_restoration) may all contribute to a [healthier environment](/source/Environmental_health) and quality of life, especially in densely populated regions. The same is true for planned vegetation like [parks](/source/Park) and [gardens](/source/Garden), but restoration plays a particular role, because it reverses previous conversions to [built](/source/Built-up_area) and agricultural areas.

### Environmental issues

The environmental impact of [land use](/source/Land_use) and development is a substantial consideration for land development projects. On the local level an environmental impact report (EIR) may be necessary.[*[definition needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*] In the United States, federally funded projects typically require preparation of an [environmental impact statement](/source/Environmental_impact_statement) (EIS). The concerns of private citizens or [political action committees](/source/Political_action_committees) (PACs)[*[further explanation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*] can influence the scope, or even cancel, a project based on concerns like the loss of an endangered species’ habitat.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

In most cases, the land development project will be allowed to proceed if mitigation requirements are met.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] [Mitigation banking](/source/Mitigation_banking) is the most prevalent example, and necessitates that the habitat will have to be replaced at a greater rate than it is removed. This increase in total area helps to establish the new ecosystem, though it will require time to reach maturity.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Further information: [land recycling](/source/Land_recycling), [soil conservation](/source/Soil_conservation), [soil salinity control](/source/Soil_salinity_control), [environmental remediation](/source/Environmental_remediation), and [urban climate](/source/Urban_climate)

### Biodiversity impacts

The extent, and type of land use directly affects [wildlife](/source/Wildlife) [habitat](/source/Habitat) and thereby impacts local and global [biodiversity](/source/Biodiversity).[10] Human alteration of landscapes from natural vegetation (e.g. [wilderness](/source/Wilderness)) to any other use can result in [habitat loss](/source/Habitat_loss), [degradation](/source/Habitat_degradation), and [fragmentation](/source/Habitat_fragmentation), all of which can have devastating effects on biodiversity.[11] Land conversion is the single greatest cause of [extinction](/source/Extinction) of [terrestrial species](/source/Terrestrial_species_(disambiguation)).[12] An example of land conversion being a chief cause of the critically endangered status of a [carnivore](/source/Carnivore) is the reduction in habitat for the [African wild dog](/source/African_wild_dog), *Lycaon pictus*.[13]

Deforestation is also the reason for loss of a [natural habitat](/source/Natural_habitat), with large numbers of trees being cut down for residential and commercial use. [Urban growth](/source/Urban_growth) has become a problem for forests and agriculture, the expansion of structures prevents natural resources from producing in their environment.[14] To prevent the loss of wildlife the forests must maintain a stable climate and the land must remain unaffected by development. [*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Furthermore, forests can be sustained by different forest management techniques such as reforestation and preservation. [Reforestation](/source/Reforestation) is a reactive approach designed to replant previously logged trees within the forest boundary in attempts to re-stabilize this ecosystem. [Preservation](/source/Forest_protection), on the other hand, is a proactive idea that promotes the concept of leaving the forest without using this area for its ecosystem goods and services.[15] Both of these methods to mitigate deforestation are being used throughout the world.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

The [U.S. Forest Service](/source/United_States_Forest_Service) predicts that urban and developing terrain in the U.S. will expand by 41 percent in 2060.[16] These conditions can cause displacement for the wildlife and limited resources for the environment to maintain a sustainable balance.[17]

## See also

- [Agricultural expansion](/source/Agricultural_expansion) – Growth of agricultural land in the 21st century

- [Built-up area](/source/Built-up_area) – Human settlement with high population density and infrastructure of built environmentPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets

- [Brownfield land](/source/Brownfield_land) – Previously developed land, often contaminated

- [Colonization](/source/Colonization) – Establishment and development of settlements by people or animals - [Manifest destiny](/source/Manifest_destiny) – 19th-century expansionist belief in the U.S.

- [Developed environments](/source/Developed_environments) – Places where people live and organize societyPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets

- [Developmentalism](/source/Developmentalism) – Economic theory

- [Environmental impact statement](/source/Environmental_impact_statement) – Assessment required under US environmental law

- [Illegal construction](/source/Illegal_construction) – Type of construction work

- [Infrastructure](/source/Infrastructure) – Facilities and systems serving society

- [Land consumption](/source/Land_consumption) – Expansion of built-up area

- [Land development bank](/source/Land_development_bank) – Special kind of development bank in India

- [Land grabbing](/source/Land_grabbing) – Large-scale acquisition of land

- [Land management](/source/Land_management) – Processes of managing land

- [Land reclamation](/source/Land_reclamation) – Creating new land from oceans, seas, riverbeds or lakes

- [Land recycling](/source/Land_recycling) – Reuse of abandoned buildings or sites

- [Landscape ecology](/source/Landscape_ecology) – Relationships between ecological processes in the environment and particular ecosystems

- [Land-use conflict](/source/Land-use_conflict)

- [Leopold matrix](/source/Leopold_matrix) – Environmental impact assessment method

- [Mitigation banking](/source/Mitigation_banking) – Market-based system to compensate for environmental impacts to wetlands

- [Ocean development](/source/Ocean_development) – Establishing of human activities at sea and use of the ocean

- [Political action committee](/source/Political_action_committee) – American political organization

- [Real estate development](/source/Real_estate_development) – Process that creates or renovates new or existing spaces

- [Subdivision (land)](/source/Subdivision_(land)) – Divided piece of land

- [Subsurface drainage](/source/Drainage_system_(agriculture))

- [Sustainable agriculture](/source/Sustainable_agriculture) – Farming approach

- [Urban planning](/source/Urban_planning) – Technical process of land use and urban design

- [Urban renewal](/source/Urban_renewal) – Land redevelopment in cities

- [Watertable control](/source/Watertable_control) – Use of drainage to control the groundwater level in an area

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Johnson, David E. (2008). "4. Marketing Studies and Market Considerations". *Fundamentals of Land Development*. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780471778936](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780471778936).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Lynch, Kevin (1960). *The Image of the City*. Cambridge MA: [MIT Press](/source/MIT_Press). [OL](/source/OL_(identifier)) [5795447M](https://openlibrary.org/books/OL5795447M).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [*Top soil is removed from the new road bed*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6htJvcohDXo) (Video). Dayton, TN: Bryan College. 2009-09-03. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/6htJvcohDXo) from the original on 2021-12-12.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Urban Soil Compaction](https://web.archive.org/web/20150423120658/http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs142p2_053278.pdf) (PDF) (Report). Soil Quality – Urban Technical Note No. 2. Auburn, AL: U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil Quality Instsitute. March 2000. Archived from [the original](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs142p2_053278.pdf) (PDF) on April 23, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Wilson, Sarah Jane (2014-08-14). ["Not All Forests Are Created Equal: Reforesting the Tropics for People, Biodiversity, and Carbon"](http://blog.ucsusa.org/science-blogger/not-all-forests-are-created-equal-reforesting-the-tropics-for-people-biodiversity-and-carbon-629). *The Equation (Blog)*. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Union of Concerned Scientists.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Boucher, Doug (June 2011). [The Root of the Problem: What's Driving tropical Deforestation today?](https://web.archive.org/web/20190926061330/https://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/legacy/assets/documents/global_warming/UCS_RootoftheProblem_DriversofDeforestation_FullReport.pdf) (PDF) (Report). Tropical Forest and Climate Initiative. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Union of Concerned Scientists. p. 85. Archived from [the original](http://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/legacy/assets/documents/global_warming/UCS_RootoftheProblem_DriversofDeforestation_FullReport.pdf) (PDF) on 2019-09-26. Retrieved 2016-03-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Monocultures"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160716002907/http://www.carbontradewatch.org/issues/monoculture.html). Barcelona, Spain: Carbon Trade Watch. Archived from [the original](http://www.carbontradewatch.org/issues/monoculture.html) on 2016-07-16. Retrieved 2016-08-28.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Brockerhoff, E.G.; Jactel, H.; Parrotta, J.; Quine, C.P.; Sayer, J. (2008-04-09). "Plantation forests and biodiversity: oxymoron or opportunity?". *Biodiversity and Conservation*. **17** (5): 925–951. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2008BiCon..17..925B](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2008BiCon..17..925B). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1007/s10531-008-9380-x](https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs10531-008-9380-x). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [40051432](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:40051432).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Lóczy, Dénes; Gyenizse, Péter (2010-10-01). ["Human impact on topography in an urbanised mining area: Pécs, Southwest Hungary"](https://journals.openedition.org/geomorphologie/7989?lang=en). *Géomorphologie: Relief, processus, environnement*. **16** (3): 287–300. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.4000/geomorphologie.7989](https://doi.org/10.4000%2Fgeomorphologie.7989). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1266-5304](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1266-5304).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** *Landscape ecology and wildlife habitat evaluation: critical information for ecological risk assessment, land-use management activities, and biodiversity enhancement*. Kapustka, Lawrence. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International. 2004. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-8031-3476-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8031-3476-2). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [55488045](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/55488045).{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: others ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_others))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** *Habitat loss: causes, impacts on biodiversity and reduction strategies*. Devore, Bronson. New York: Nova. 2014. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-63117-231-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-63117-231-1). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [867765925](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/867765925).{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: others ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_others))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Bierregaard_12-0)** Bierregaard, Richard; Claude Gascon; Thomas E. Lovejoy; Rita Mesquita, eds. (2001). [*Lessons from Amazonia: The Ecology and Conservation of a Fragmented Forest*](https://archive.org/details/lessonsfromamazo0000unse). Yale University Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-300-08483-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-300-08483-8).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** C. Michael Hogan. 2009. [*Painted Hunting Dog: Lycaon pictus*, GlobalTwitcher.com, ed. N. Stromberg](http://globaltwitcher.auderis.se/artspec_information.asp?thingid=35993) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20101209234758/http://globaltwitcher.auderis.se/artspec_information.asp?thingid=35993) 2010-12-09 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Ehrhardt-Martinez, Karen (Aug 16, 2003). ["Demographics, Democracy, Development, Disparity and Deforestation: A Crossnational Assessment of the Social Causes of Deforestation"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081210160729/http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/1/0/7/4/8/p107488_index.html). *American Sociological Association*. Archived from [the original](http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/1/0/7/4/8/p107488_index.html) on 2008-12-10.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Lund, H. Gyde (2006). *Definitions of Forest, Deforestation, Afforestation, and Reforestation*. Gainesville, VA: Forest Information Services.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Forest Service report forecasts natural resource management trends and challenges for next 50 years | US Forest Service"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200819100247/https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/releases/forest-service-report-forecasts-natural-resource-management-trends-and-challenges-next). *www.fs.usda.gov*. 17 April 2013. Archived from [the original](https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/releases/forest-service-report-forecasts-natural-resource-management-trends-and-challenges-next) on August 19, 2020. Retrieved 2020-04-22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** National Conference of State Legislature."State Forest Carbon Incentives and Policies".Jocelyn Durkay and Jennifer Schultz..22 March 2016. Web.25 April 2015.[http://www.ncsl.org/research/environment-and-natural-resources/state-forest-carbon-incentives-and-policies.aspx](http://www.ncsl.org/research/environment-and-natural-resources/state-forest-carbon-incentives-and-policies.aspx)

- R.J. Oosterbaan, International Institute for Land Reclamation and Improvement, Wageningen, The Netherlands. ["Improvement of waterlogged and saline soils."](http://www.waterlog.info/) Free downloads of software and articles on land drainage.

- Kone, D. Linda (2006). *Land Development* (10th ed.). Washington, D.C.: National Association of Home Builders. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780867186093](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780867186093).

- Dewberry & Davis (2008). *Land Development Handbook* (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Professional. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780071640930](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780071640930).

- Colley, Barbara C. (2005). *Practical Manual of Land Development* (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0071448667](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0071448667).

v t e Land use General Degradation Development/Conversion Planning Conflict Land management Landscaping Integrated landscape management Land grabbing Land consumption Land loss Habitat destruction Illegal construction Land reclamation Land rehabilitation Landscape ecology Rangeland management Environmental planning Leopold matrix Watertable control Developed environments Built-up area Locally unwanted land use Property Property Subdivision (land) Real estate development Land development bank Land (economics) Customary land Related fields Soil Soil science Soil compaction Soil contamination Alkali soil Pollution Deforestation Urban planning Agriculture Drainage system (agriculture) Land change modeling Categories: Land use

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Land development](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_development) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_development?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.