The Economics of Land Use Change: Advancing the Frontiers

摘要: The pace and pattern of land use change in the United States drives many communities to demand new policies due both environmental fiscal impacts associated with increasing urban suburban landscape as well questions food security global climate resulting from loss farm forest land. Between 1982 1997, U.S. population grew by 17 percent, while total urbanized area 47 percent (Fulton et al. 2001). However, amount resource lost is not only concern society: location, distribution, also matter. determines local government costs providing infrastructure such roads, schools, sewer, water, other public services; type nonpoint source pollution into water bodies; farmland, forest, habitat, open space amenities; how much time people spend commuting—commute times have increased contributed negative air quality change; ecological effects including hydrological disturbances habitat fragmentation. In addition, converted per each person for housing has been trending upward—almost doubling past 20 years. Since 1994, lots greater than 10 acres accounted 55 developed (Heimlich Anderson Understanding threshold different patterns—whether they relate percentage impervious surface a watershed, alternatives achieving TMDLs (total maximum daily loads), or number interior forests—has become more important, but these are difficult analyze given modeling methods currently available. Numerous local, state, federal regulations potential affect patterns. Land planning regulation usually functions state governments, traditionally performed through zoning subdivision ordinances, related tools adequate facilities differential development fees, growth boundaries, provision sewer. Local governments can market mechanisms transferable rights create incentives occur specific regions, explicitly buy parcels remaining space. activities indirectly These include allocation resources transportation network deductions mortgage interest property taxes income tax code. cases, result unintended consequences on spatial change, always implemented specifically this pattern. Given motivating policy issues, spatially explicit economic focusing dramatically recent years, advances theoretical innovations methodology. Empirical facilitated availability social science data. Applied economists increasingly interested issues data (remotely sensed data, satellite geo-referenced _________________________________________