The development district concept : a learning experience for innovative land use controls

Abstract

The fast urban growth of the Postwar period took place frequently in the form of scattered development with poor coordination of public facilities and services. During the same period, the traditional zoning system revealed major inadequacies when applied in environmentally sensitive areas subject to strong developmental pressures. As a result, during the sixties more effective land use controls were developed to transform undeveloped land into urban uses, and therefore overcome past regulatory shortcomings. One of those innovative mechanisms, known as the Development District Concept, was presented as an attractive alternative to the traditional zoning system by offering consistency with a comprehensive plan, a clear relationship to the police power, regulatory flexibility, an integrated system of development guidance, and administrative coordination. This concept was widely applied during the late sixties and early seventies until the present economic recession brought to a standstill development activities in most parts of the country. Consequently, regions where growth was not taking place did not see much use for growth management techniques. On the contrary, Sunbelt states with fact urban growth began to experience the need to excercise some kind of development controls. It has been in the Sunbelt areas, particularly in the Southwest, where the Development District Concept has been successfully implemented during the last decade. This study has analyzed three case studies where the Concept has been implemented and where substantial development has occurred. Results have indicated that the Development District Concept is still a viable mechanism to guide development, although it needs some refinement and adjustment in order to respond adequately to the needs of the eighties.