Conservation development
[2] This type of planning has become more relevant as "land conversion for housing development is a leading cause of habitat loss and fragmentation".
This approach seeks to avoid the dichotomy of economic urbanism on one side of such a street while on the other lies completely protected woodlands and farm fields, devoid of inclusion in that economy.
[5] Conservation development is usually applied to rural, exurban or suburban residential subdivisions, though it does have a few urban applications (Doyle 4).
These two types of projects are done through private developers whose goal is to turn a profit at the end of the day, but in a "conservation-friendly matter".
[5] According to a study undertaken by Milder & Clark, 98.4% of the total land receives protection, the highest amongst the four conservation development types.
Real estate is developed for sale on an open market, and the profit is used to finance conservation of the nearby land.
[5] The houses are built on lots smaller than usual, meaning the density of the development nears the maximum allowed by zoning.
Covenants are a legal contract used to protect the integrity of the ecosystem, the ecological health of watersheds (which are damaged by increased development),[11] maintain long-term access to natural resources and associated value-added opportunities, protect native plant and animal species, and mitigate climate change impacts.
This way, the incentive structure ensures real estate developers stay true to the mission of conservation, with the land trust vested with authority to investigate, report, and penalize infractions.
Therefore, the community sits on the least sensitive part of the land from an ecological point of view and is often built using low-impact infrastructure such as Nature-based Solutions for the civil engineering and LEED-targeted housing.
To further reduce broader environmental impact, many conservation communities (whether in whole or in part) generate their own power, pump their own water, and grow food on-site.
"[13] The biggest advantage of conservation development is that it can protect species and ecosystems, preventing further habitat fragmentation and loss.
By surveying the land and identifying the primary conservation areas where ecosystems are most at risk, communities are created without huge disruption to the environment.
[3] Stormwater management systems are also used to "promote natural flow patterns and infiltration", considered a very important factor in minimizing a development's impact.
[1][6] Pejchar et al. and Arendt cite a number of economic benefits that accrue to municipalities through conservation development.
They include fewer public costs on maintenance and infrastructure, protecting open space without losing tax revenues, and avoiding the loss of ecological services like landscape stabilization, flood control and clean water.
[3][1] A municipality also experiences a reduced demand for public green space since it has been provided free of charge by the development.
The protected green space also provides excellent recreational activities, such as hiking, jogging, or simply observing nature.
[3] In protecting sensitive areas, developers and homeowners see a risk in the possible elimination of desired sites to build homes.
This type of planning has become more relevant as "land conversion for housing development is a leading cause of habitat loss and fragmentation".
[4] Without biodiversity, we lose the many benefits we derive from it, including economic and ecological services, genetic information, and recreational pleasure, just to name a few.
