Land Use Change Notes PDF

Unit 3, Chapter 2: Land Use Change Location The specific place where something is found on the Earth's surface. Absolute Location: Exact coordinates (latitude and longitude). Relative Location: Position in relation to other places. Place The characteristics...

Unit 3, Chapter 2: Land Use Change Location The specific place where something is found on the Earth's surface. Absolute Location: Exact coordinates (latitude and longitude). Relative Location: Position in relation to other places. Place The characteristics (physical and human) that make a location unique. Region An area defined by common characteristics (e.g., climate, culture, or politics). Scale The level of analysis or scope (local, regional, national, global). Space The physical gap or distance between objects. Distance The amount of space between two locations, measured in physical or time terms. Distribution How something is spread or arranged across space. Movement The flow of people, goods, or ideas between places. Environment The physical and biological factors and how humans interact with them. Sustainability Using resources in ways that meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. Globalization The increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of the world through trade, communication, and culture. Interconnection The ways in which places, people, and environments are linked to one another. Overview Definition of Land Use: Defined by the UN FAO as human activities and arrangements modifying land cover to suit specific purposes. Categories of Land Use: o Nature Protection Areas: e.g., Kakadu National Park. o Cultivated Lands: e.g., Yarra Valley vineyards. o Recreational Areas: e.g., Victorian Alps. o Urban Areas: Residential, commercial, and industrial zones.  o Mining Areas: e.g., Latrobe Valley in Gippsland. Human Modifications: All land uses result from human interventions. Factors Influencing Land Use Change (SHEEPT Framework) 1. Social Factors: Changes in population, work skills, and living preferences. 2. Historical Factors: Decisions from the past shape current land uses. 3. Economic Factors: Wealth creation and land profitability drive changes. 4. Environmental Factors: Land's physical characteristics influence its uses. 5. Political Factors: Policies, zoning laws, and planning influence changes. 6. Technological Factors: Innovations like geospatial technology facilitate land use changes. Examples of Land Use Change Farmland converted to housing estates. Urban renewal transforming old industrial areas into residential spaces. Land Use Categories Transport Routes: Essential for interconnection, e.g., the Hume Freeway links major regions in Victoria. Urban Renewal: Conversion of old areas (e.g., factories) into mixed-use developments (residential + commercial). Greenfield Sites: Undeveloped rural/agricultural areas transformed for urban growth. Types of Land Use Change Intensive Changes: High input of resources, e.g., clearing forests for urban development. Extensive Changes: Lower input of resources, e.g., agricultural expansion. Planning for Sustainable Land Use Planning Zones: Manage potential conflicts between urban and rural uses. Urban Growth Boundary (UGB): Limits urban sprawl to protect farmland and green spaces. Impacts of Land Use Change Environmental: Loss of vegetation, habitat, and soil degradation (e.g., salinity issues). Economic: Urban sprawl increases land value but reduces agricultural productivity. Unit 3, Chapter 3: Land Use Change in Urban Areas Overview  Urban areas experience land use change driven by population growth, resource needs, and development strategies. Key concerns: Urban sprawl, habitat fragmentation, and sustainability. Processes of Urban Land Use Change Physical Processes: Clearing vegetation, earthworks, and new construction. Administrative Processes: Site assessments (transport, contamination, vegetation, etc.) and zoning changes. Impacts of Urban Land Use Change Environmental Impacts: Habitat loss, waterway degradation, and the Urban Heat Island Effect (UHI). Social Impacts: Lack of infrastructure in growth areas leads to isolation and poor liveability Economic Impacts: Increased property values and development pressures. Management Strategies: o Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD): Incorporates rain gardens and porous pavements. o Urban Forests: Combat UHI by increasing greenery. Unit 3, Chapter 3: Urban Areas Urban Sprawl in Melbourne Rapid Expansion: Population growth (projected 8 million by 2050) is driving peri- urban developments. Western Growth Region: Flat, affordable land near Werribee makes it attractive but threatens biodiversity. Challenges: Infrastructure like transport and schools often lag behind population growth. Case Studies 1. Boronia Heights Secondary College Site: o Rezoned from Public Use Zone to Neighbourhood Residential Zone. o Highlights the need for balanced residential planning. 2. Cave Hill Limestone Quarry, Lilydale: o Transitioned from industrial quarry to a planned residential community. o Includes heritage preservation, sustainable designs, and large-scale urban renewal. Urban Challenges and Solutions Urban Heat Island Effect (UHI): o Dense urban materials (e.g., concrete) increase local temperatures. o Vegetation and urban forests mitigate the effect.  Habitat Fragmentation: o Wildlife corridors (e.g., Merri Creek) reconnect isolated habitats. Unit 3, Chapter 4: Land Use Change in Rural Areas Overview Drivers of Change: Population growth, government policies, and economic development. Conflicts: Rural land uses can clash with urban expansion (e.g., salinity, waterlogging). Case Study: Cardinia Shire Characteristics: Mixture of grazing, farming, and urban growth. Issues: Loss of farmland, biodiversity, and infrastructure pressures. Management Strategies: o Protecting high-value conservation areas. o Encouraging compact urban designs. Role of Geospatial Technologies GIS and remote sensing tools are used to plan, monitor, and assess land use changes effectively. Unit 3, Chapter 4: Rural Areas Drivers of Change Urban Expansion: Peri-urban fringes under pressure as Melbourne grows. Economic Pressures: Rising land values lead to ‘rural blight’ when farming is abandoned for potential urban profits. Government Policy: Melbourne 2030 Plan directs growth to specific areas while protecting rural zones. Issues Arising from Change Conflict Between Uses: o Spray drift from farms into urban areas. o Theft and damage to rural properties by nearby residents. Environmental Impacts: o Urban salinization from altered drainage patterns. o Loss of prime agricultural land. Case Study: Cardinia Shire Natural Features: o Northern clay soils and Cardinia Reservoir supply Melbourne with water. o Fertile sandy loams in the south support market gardens. Human Challenges: o Infrastructure struggles to keep pace with growth (e.g., overcrowded schools and roads). o Concerns over rising council rates and loss of community identity. Management Strategies 1. Precinct Structure Planning (PSP): o Ensures growth areas are planned with infrastructure and community needs in mind. 2. Geospatial Technologies: o GIS platforms like MapshareVic help planners analyze and manage growth while minimizing environmental impacts. The Role of Geospatial Technologies 1. Applications: o Mapping vegetation, topography, and land use zones. o Assessing biodiversity impacts and natural hazards. 2. Benefits: o Data accuracy improves planning decisions. o Community involvement is supported through accessible platforms like MapshareVic. 3. Examples: o Little Stringybark Creek: GIS monitors ecological restoration efforts. Cross-Chapter Themes Sustainability Land use must balance human needs with environmental preservation. Sustainable Urban Design: Incorporates features like WSUD, compact housing, and mixed-use developments. Interconnections Urban and rural regions are linked through transport, economy, and resource use. Examples: o Rural regions supply food and raw materials to cities. o Urban areas provide markets, education, and healthcare. Future Directions Climate Change Adaptation: o Farming regions to adopt water-efficient practices (e.g., dryland cropping). o Urban areas to integrate greener spaces and manage rising sea levels.  Technological Innovations: o Continued reliance on GIS and GPS for monitoring and adaptive planning. Land Use Change: Comprehensive Study Notes Overview of Land Use Definition UN FAO Definition: Human activities modifying land cover for specific purposes Encompasses human interventions and strategic modifications of landscapes Land Use Categories Category Examples Nature Protection Kakadu National Park Cultivated Lands Yarra Valley vineyards Recreational Areas Victorian Alps Urban Areas Residential, commercial, industrial zones Mining Areas Latrobe Valley, Gippsland SHEEPT Framework: Factors Influencing Land Use Change Comprehensive Drivers of Transformation 1. Social Factors o Population dynamics o Workforce skill evolution o Changing living preferences 2. Historical Factors o Past decisions shaping current land utilization o Legacy of previous land management strategies 3. Economic Factors o Wealth generation potential o Land profitability considerations 4. Environmental Factors o Physical landscape characteristics o Natural resource constraints 5. Political Factors o Policy frameworks o Zoning regulations o Urban planning strategies 6. Technological Factors o Geospatial innovations o Advanced mapping technologies Types of Land Use Change Transformation Characteristics Intensive Changes o High resource investment o Example: Forest clearing for urban development Extensive Changes o Lower resource requirements o Example: Agricultural expansion Specific Change Scenarios Farmland conversion to housing Urban renewal of industrial zones Transport route development Urban Land Use Dynamics Key Urban Transformation Processes Physical Processes o Vegetation clearing o Earthwork modifications o New construction initiatives Administrative Processes o Site assessments o Zoning modifications o Infrastructure planning Urban Challenges Urban sprawl Habitat fragmentation Sustainability concerns Management Strategies Sustainable Approaches Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) Urban forest development Precinct Structure Planning (PSP) Technological Interventions Geospatial technologies GIS mapping platforms Remote sensing tools Case Study: Melbourne's Urban Expansion Growth Characteristics Projected population: 8 million by 2050 Western Growth Region development Peri-urban expansion challenges Specific Site Transformations 1. Boronia Heights Secondary College o Rezoned from Public Use to Residential o Balanced planning demonstration 2. Cave Hill Limestone Quarry o Industrial to residential conversion o Sustainable design integration Rural Land Use Transitions Change Drivers Population growth Economic pressures Government policy interventions Emerging Challenges Rural-urban interface conflicts Agricultural land preservation  Infrastructure adaptation Cross-Cutting Themes Sustainability Principles Balancing human needs with environmental preservation Compact urban design Mixed-use development strategies Future Adaptation Climate change mitigation Technological innovation Resource-efficient practices Geospatial Technology Role Key Applications Precise land use mapping Biodiversity impact assessment Growth management Benefits Enhanced planning accuracy Community engagement Data-driven decision making Interconnected Landscape Urban-Rural Relationships Resource exchange networks Economic interdependence Shared infrastructure systems Emerging Trends Water-efficient agricultural practices Green urban space integration Adaptive planning approaches