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Urban planning is the process of designing and regulating the use of spaces within a city to ensure sustainable development, efficient infrastructure, and improved quality of life for its inhabitants. It involves balancing social, economic, and environmental needs through strategic land use, transportation planning, and public space management.
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Zoning is a regulatory tool used by local governments to control land use and development, ensuring that land is used efficiently and harmoniously within a community. It divides a municipality into different zones, such as residential, commercial, and industrial, each with specific regulations governing building size, placement, and usage.
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Sustainable development is a holistic approach that aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It integrates economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection to create a balanced and equitable future for all.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a systematic process that evaluates the potential environmental effects of a proposed project before decisions are made. It aims to prevent or mitigate negative impacts on the environment and ensure sustainable development by integrating environmental considerations into project planning and decision-making.
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Deforestation is the large-scale removal of forested areas, primarily driven by human activities such as agriculture, logging, and urban expansion, which leads to significant biodiversity loss and contributes to climate change by increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. The practice disrupts ecosystems, affects water cycles, and threatens the livelihoods of indigenous communities who depend on forests for their survival.
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Biodiversity conservation is the practice of protecting and managing natural habitats and ecosystems to ensure the survival of diverse species, which is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and supporting life on Earth. It involves strategies like habitat preservation, legal protection, and sustainable resource management to combat threats like habitat destruction, climate change, and pollution.
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Land use change refers to the transformation of the natural environment by human activities, which can lead to significant impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, and climate. This process is driven by factors such as urbanization, agriculture, and deforestation, and is a critical component of global environmental change affecting sustainability and resource management.
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Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans derive from natural ecosystems, encompassing provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services. These services are crucial for human survival and well-being, as they include essential processes like pollination, water purification, climate regulation, and nutrient cycling.
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Land tenure refers to the legal or customary rights individuals or groups have to land, determining how land is used, managed, and transferred. It plays a critical role in shaping social, economic, and environmental outcomes by influencing land access, security, and resource management.
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A catchment area, also known as a drainage basin, is a geographical region where all precipitation collects and drains off into a common outlet, such as a river, lake, or ocean. It plays a crucial role in hydrology and water resource management, influencing water availability, quality, and ecosystem health within its boundaries.
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Private nuisance is a legal concept that involves an interference with an individual's enjoyment and use of their land, which is substantial and unreasonable. It typically requires a balance between the rights of the landowner to use their property as they wish and the rights of their neighbors to enjoy their property without undue interference.
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Settlement patterns refer to the spatial distribution and organization of human habitats and communities across a landscape, influenced by factors such as geography, climate, economy, and cultural practices. Understanding these patterns helps in analyzing human interaction with the environment and planning for sustainable development and resource management.
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Geographical features are natural or artificial elements of the Earth's surface that define and distinguish different areas, influencing both the environment and human activities. They range from mountains, rivers, and lakes to urban landscapes and infrastructure, playing a crucial role in ecosystems, climate patterns, and cultural development.
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Geographical factors are the physical characteristics and conditions of a location that influence human activities, economic development, and environmental interactions. These factors include natural features like climate, topography, and resources, shaping the cultural and societal dynamics of the area.
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Housing density refers to the number of housing units per unit of land area, which significantly impacts urban planning, infrastructure, and community dynamics. It influences environmental sustainability, economic development, and the quality of life by affecting transportation, resource allocation, and social interactions.
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Surface rights refer to the ownership and entitlement to use the surface area of a piece of land, distinct from the subsurface rights, which pertain to the extraction of minerals or resources below the land. These rights allow the owner to build structures, grow crops, and utilize the surface in various ways, subject to local zoning laws and regulations.
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Rural settlements are communities located in non-urban areas, characterized by low population density and a reliance on agriculture or natural resource-based occupations. These settlements often exhibit distinct cultural, social, and economic structures compared to urban areas, influenced by geographic, environmental, and historical factors.
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Land is a fundamental natural resource that serves as the foundation for human habitation, agriculture, and economic activities, while also playing a crucial role in ecological systems. It is subject to various forms of ownership, use, and regulation, influencing social, economic, and environmental outcomes globally.
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Site Analysis is a crucial step in the architectural and urban planning process that involves evaluating the physical, cultural, and environmental characteristics of a location to inform design decisions. It ensures that the project is contextually appropriate, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of its users and surroundings.
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An easement is a legal right to use another person's land for a specific purpose without owning it. Easements are typically established through agreements or by necessity and can impact property value and use rights.
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Trip generation is the first step in the four-step transportation forecasting model, estimating the number of trips originating and ending in a particular area. It is crucial for urban planning, helping to predict traffic demand and inform infrastructure development decisions.
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Coming to the Nuisance is a legal doctrine used in property law, which suggests that if a person knowingly moves to a location where a nuisance already exists, they may have limited grounds to claim damages or seek injunctive relief. This doctrine balances the rights of property owners to use their land as they see fit with the rights of newcomers to enjoy their property without interference from pre-existing nuisances.
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Sediment yield refers to the total quantity of sediment that is transported by a river or stream to a particular point over a specific period of time. It is influenced by factors such as climate, topography, land use, and vegetation cover, and plays a crucial role in understanding erosion processes and watershed management.
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Subdivision refers to the process of dividing a single piece of land into smaller lots, often for the purpose of development or sale. This process involves regulatory approval, compliance with zoning laws, and often includes considerations of infrastructure, environmental impact, and community planning.
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A dominant estate is like a special piece of land that gets to use another piece of land, called a servient estate, for something important like a path or driveway. It's like when you share your toys with a friend so they can play too, but you still own your toys.
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Agricultural fractions are like pieces of a big puzzle that show how much of different crops or plants are grown on a farm. They help us understand what farmers are planting and how they use their land to grow food for everyone.
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Forest geography is the study of where forests are in the world and how they change over time. It helps us understand why some places have lots of trees and others don't, and how animals and people use these forests.
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Easement by necessity is when someone needs to use another person's land because there's no other way to get to their own land. It's like if your house is surrounded by a friend's yard and you need to walk through it to get to the street.
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Spatial occupation refers to the manner in which entities, whether physical or abstract, utilize and organize space within a given environment. It encompasses the distribution, arrangement, and interaction of these entities, influencing both the functionality and perception of the space.
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