Land-use succession is the dynamic process through which the predominant use of a neighborhood or area changes over time. This transformation can occur due to various factors including economic shifts, demographic changes, policy interventions, and environmental conditions. Land-use succession reflects the evolving needs and preferences of societies and influences the character and functionality of urban and rural landscapes.
Types of Land-Use Succession
Economic Succession
Economic factors often drive land-use changes. For example, industrial areas may transition to residential or commercial use as cities deindustrialize and shift towards service-oriented economies.
Residential Succession
This involves changes in the predominant housing type or resident demographics. Gentrification is a common example, where lower-income neighborhoods become attractive to higher-income residents, leading to increased property values and displacement of original residents.
Agricultural to Urban Succession
Rural land previously used for agriculture may be converted into urban areas due to urban sprawl or development pressures, reducing the amount of arable land.
Factors Influencing Land-Use Succession
- Economic Trends: Shifts in job markets and economic opportunities can lead to changes in how land is utilized.
- Population Dynamics: Changes in population size, density, and demographics influence housing and infrastructure needs.
- Government Policies: Zoning laws, urban planning strategies, and policy interventions can direct land use.
- Environmental Changes: Natural events and climate change can necessitate changes in land use.
Examples of Land-Use Succession
- Inner-City Redevelopment: Industrial areas in inner cities are often redeveloped into mixed-use neighborhoods featuring residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.
- Suburban Development: Agricultural lands on city outskirts are transformed into suburban residential areas as cities expand.
- Gentrification: Older, lower-income urban neighborhoods attract higher-income residents, leading to increased property values and altered community dynamics.
Historical Context
Land-use succession has historical precedence, seeing significant shifts during times of industrialization, post-war economic booms, and more recently during phases of urban renewal and sustainable development initiatives. These historical episodes underline the importance of adaptively reusing land in response to changing societal needs.
Applicability and Implications of Land-Use Succession
Land-use succession is crucial for urban planners, policy makers, economists, and real estate developers as it informs decisions on sustainable land management, infrastructure development, and community planning. Understanding succession trends helps in anticipating future changes and mitigating potential negative impacts, such as displacement or loss of green spaces.
Comparisons with Related Terms
- Gentrification: Specifically refers to the process of wealthier residents moving into a historically lower-income area, often leading to displacement.
- Urban Sprawl: The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into adjoining rural land.
- Rezoning: The process of changing the zoning regulations to allow for different types of land use.
FAQs
Q: What causes land-use succession? A1: A combination of economic trends, demographic shifts, policy decisions, and environmental factors drives land-use succession.
Q: How does gentrification fit into land-use succession? A2: Gentrification is a specific type of residential land-use succession where lower-income neighborhoods experience an influx of higher-income residents and businesses.
Q: Can land-use succession be controlled or directed? A3: Yes, through urban planning, zoning laws, and policy interventions, governments and local authorities can influence land-use changes.
References
- Brueckner, J.K., & Rosenthal, S.S. (2009). Gentrification and Neighborhood Housing Cycles: Will America’s Future Downtowns Be Rich? Review of Economics and Statistics, 91(4), 725-743.
- Batty, M., & Xie, Y. (1994). From cells to cities: perspectives in modelling urban growth. Environment and Planning A, 26(4), 625-648.
- Alonso, W. (1964). Location and Land Use: Toward a General Theory of Land Rent. Harvard University Press.
Summary
Land-use succession epitomizes the fluid nature of urban and rural development. With economic, demographic, and policy factors continuously at play, understanding this process is vital for creating sustainable, equitable, and adaptable communities. Through historical precedents and current trends, land-use succession remains a pivotal concept in the fields of urban planning, real estate, and social sciences.
