Scientific approaches to resolving land use problems are becoming ever more complex as researchers and planners have to deal with multi-faceted issues. Land use is, of course, specific to the geographic location of the areas studied, so that mountains differ from plains, as do humid regions from dry ones. History also plays an important part, land use often depending on whether it has been traditionally used for urban or agrarian purposes. Furthermore, the planner is almost always confronted by situations in which landscapes are continually changing at widely different rates in response to a variety of pressures.

Land use maps should be oriented to show the relationship between land use, geographic location, and climate, as well as to show the relationship between land use, history, and landscape change.

Orientations of Land Use Maps

Key Takeaway: Land use maps should be oriented to show the relationship between land use, geographic location, and climate, as well as to show the relationship between land use, history, and landscape change.