TABLE OF CONTENTS Land development consulting merges the science of city building with the art of placemaking through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to project delivery. Encompassing the fields of planning, engineering, surveying, architecture, landscape architecture, construction, marketing, finance, and a host of other specialties, land development consulting is a dynamic profession that requires consultants to be technically skilled and creative. They must have their finger on the pulse of the community the political climate, cultural and environmental priorities, infrastructure needs and desires in order to reliably advise their clients, produce sound designs, and contribute to the development of high-quality places.
In order to fully appreciate the nuances of today's land development industry, it is important to understand its evolution. This first chapter examines the industry drivers demographics, historic events, and economic, political, and social factors that serve as the impetus for this growing branch of consulting. Also touched on in this chapter are the tenets of design strength, function, and aesthetics as well as brief introductions to the prevailing design philosophies including green or sustainable, neotraditional, and conventional. Last, and most important, this overview establishes a land development design process clarified and detailed throughout the text that can be used to navigate the increasingly complex maze of development regulations, required approvals, and permits.
This edition, like the second, presents the material in chronological order according to the typical land development process. While site design is a continuous process, it encompasses at least seven distinct steps (or stages), each with an...
