19-0305 Definition of Areas of Land Developed

QUESTION

The LCC Standard 1.2 states, "A Community in a developing country may build on a greenfield site as long as the project permanently conserves (through a partnership with a reputable land trust) twice as much land on or adjacent to the Community as is developed."

Can we consider areas of land developed to include the area containing only buildings, and exclude the area of open spaces/vegetation that are also within the areas of land developed? The area of open spaces/vegetation is to be set aside for conservation and restoration activities.

RESPONSE

For purposes of the LCC I-01 Limits to Growth permission for Greenfield development in developing countries, the land defined as developed includes more than just buildings. Areas to be converted by the project primarily for human use, such as infrastructure to support and access buildings, walkways, trails, play fields, planted gardens, outdoor gathering spaces, urban agriculture, and building parcels (buildings, setbacks to the building, landscaping, etc) are considered developed. Areas to be set aside for permanent conservation "(through a reputable land trust)", or "sensitive ecological habitats", or areas of restoration and conservation (that are not subject to alteration for access or use by people eg wetland buffer restoration or steep-slope restoration) can be excluded from the area considered as Community development for the purposes of conservation calculations for I-01 Limits to Growth. The Community must make a case for exclusions with a labeled diagram and narrative.