Fundamentals of Land Development: A Real-World Guide to Profitable Large-Scale Development - Hardcover

Johnson, David E.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0471778931 ISBN 13: 9780471778936

Verlag: Wiley, 2008

Inhaltsangabe

Properly planned and visualized, large-scale developments can be successfully constructed, whether as master planned communities, planned unit developments, or new towns. Fundamentals of Land Development provides an in-depth approach to the design, planning, and development of large land areas into comprehensively designed communities.

This book provides in-depth discussions of the full range of development tasks involved in any large development project, from site and land use selection, market analysis, preparing the land use plan and impact statements, to getting approval from the municipality and community, permitting and approval, scheduling and cost management, and the basics of engineering systems and design.

 Developers and other stake-holders will find guidance on such issues as:

•           How real-world development is driven by profits, and how team members can maximize profits while developing creatively and responsibly

•           Site selection and acquisition

•           Entering the growing business of retirement (active adult) community development

 Illustrated with real-world case studies drawn from the authors own experience, Fundamentals of Land Development is a practical manual for developers looking to improve the profitability of their projects and gain a better understanding of what all team members undertake in a project of this size and complexity.

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Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

David E. Johnson, P.E., P.P., has been responsible for the design, permitting, development, and construction of residential projects and mixed use communities. He has been a presenter of land development and land planning topics at numerous ASCE and NAHB workshops held throughout the United States. Mr. Johnson holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from West Virginia University Institute of Technology and is a part-time instructor on land development at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

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Properly planned and visualized, large-scale developments can be success-fully constructed, whether as master planned communities, planned unit developments, or new towns. Fundamentals of Land Development provides an in-depth approach to the design, planning, and development of large land areas into comprehensively designed communities.

This book provides in-depth discussions of the full range of development tasks involved in any large development project, from site and land use selection, market analysis, preparing the land use plan and impact statements, to getting approval from the municipality and community, permitting and approval, scheduling and cost management, and the basics of engineering systems and design.

Developers and other stakeholders will find guidance on such issues as:

• How real-world development is driven by profits, and how team members can maximize profits while developing creatively and responsibly

• Site selection and acquisition

• Entering the growing business of retirement (active adult) community development

Illustrated with real-world case studies drawn from the authors own experience, Fundamentals of Land Development is a practical manual for developers looking to improve the profitability of their projects and gain a better understanding of what all team members undertake in a project of this size and complexity.

Aus dem Klappentext

The Offsite

"She'd seen it before. The new guy pushes the incumbent hard for a few months, creates problems, and then brings in someone from his old company to replace the failure. Was he there to test her and teach her, or to toss her out at the first sign of trouble?"
--from The Offsite

Drawing on the leadership theories from the best-selling classic, The Leadership Challenge, Robert Thompson effortlessly incorporates Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner's time-tested concepts into a winning fable of leadership and growth. This dramatic tale of transition centers on a three-day meeting of two former rival pharmaceutical companies taking the first step towards creating a joint sales strategy. Told through the perspective of participants from both camps, they come to rely on The Five Practices that form the heart of The Leadership Challenge:

Model the Way

Inspire a Shared Vision

Challenge the Process

Enable Others to Act

Encourage the Heart

Exploring the dynamics of a company offsite with humor and insight, Thompson addresses the fears and concerns many participants have, especially around 360-degree feedback, the key component of The Leadership Challenge(R) model and workshops.

An invaluable book for anyone planning to attend (or produce) a leadership training retreat, The Offsite also provides a succinct introduction to The Leadership Challenge for professionals, at all levels, who want to hone their leadership skills.

Auszug. © Genehmigter Nachdruck. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

Fundamentals of Land Development

A Real-World Guide to Profitable Large-Scale DevelopmentBy David E. Johnson

John Wiley & Sons

Copyright © 2008 David E. Johnson
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-471-77893-6

Chapter One

Comprehensive Site-Planning Overview

1.1 Introduction

Properly planned and conceptualized large-scale developments are benefits to communities, developers, and end users. The essence of planning large-scale developments consists of an entrepreneurial focus on multiple land uses that complement the vision and financial commitment of the developer. The developer must rely on a talented design team and the willingness of the local government to review and approve large-scale developments. With technical and political insight, a successful large-scale development will succeed in even modest market conditions. Flexibility in both land use and land planning will also provide a developer a framework with which to create a point of destination and sense of community. This results in consistent land absorption and the creation of its own market. The technical aspects of large-scale developments will be addressed in subsequent chapters. Large-scale developments may be considered green developments, since both have the potential to provide sustainable and environmentally sensitive community designs, which would enhance the value and characteristics of the land form.

1.2 Role of Government

The traditional planning and zoning measures instituted in many communities have not embraced sustainable growth patterns and have only served to promote sprawl. The development of outlying areas is a direct function of land prices and the government's land-use and zoning approach. Developers seek land on the fringes for easy to develop properties that have existing zoning in place. Many communities establish zoning districts that require land to be used for houses contained in stand-alone subdivisions that are only connected by roads and traffic corridors. Governments establish the rules, and developers must create designs consistent with these rules. Otherwise, the onus falls on the developer to seek changes in the conceivable zoning or land uses permitted by governments. Flexibility and creativity are hindered and muted by the narrowly focused prudence of development and growth patterns by local governing bodies.

Governments have created a scenario in which land is consumed by new construction in outlying areas because properly planned densities are not being considered. In such a scenario, development sprawl will continue, and NIMBY (Not in My Backyard) and CAVE (Citizens Against Virtually Everything) attitudes will thrive. However, only local government can assess future growth patterns and determine the course of action best suited for future generations. The answer may be clear, but many communities will ignore it. Growth can be managed, allowing land to be used properly and effectively. The government needs to evaluate density's effect on its populace and existing infrastructure. Implementing higher densities within existing urban areas would provide developers with flexibility in design and creativity. Density is the controlling factor in achieving a balance between the common good and the protection of the health, safety, and profit motive of a private entity.

Answers include the creation of large-scale development approaches that would provide market segmentation, sustainability, and a point of destination. Large-scale projects can achieve sustainability outside urban cores with the proper use of land through local government partnerships. Well-planned and conceptualized large-scale projects should not be viewed as a continuation of sprawl but as HOPE, meaning Housing Opportunities Please Everyone. Developers and industry professionals must cooperate with local government entities to achieve large-scale projects that provide HOPE.

1.3 Public Perceptions

For many years, national home-building companies have been the only ones with the foresight and financial means to design and construct large-scale projects. The general support of government and public in their vision has made this possible. It takes time, effort, and financial resources to hold land while the design approach is dissected. In return, the small- and medium-sized developers have been forced farther out from the core infrastructure. The public perceives builders and developers as profit-motivated disturbers of land and community values. Most builders and developers are reluctant to attempt something innovative on account of the regulatory acceptance hurdles and market reaction. Thus, the "same ol' thing" causes the "same ol' response" from the public. Furthermore, the public believes that builder-developers make significant financial returns, when in reality the returns on their investments are insignificant compared to higher risk industries. Also, since developing lots or building homes is their main enterprise, a portion of all profits are invested back into land for the next project.

Changing public perception of large-scale developments is a must for sustainable communities to thrive. Developers should seek a common ground to achieve a partnership of creativity, as flexibility and vision will allow large-scale developments to become integral parts of a community's growth pattern. The development industry is a fragmented compilation of visionaries striving to meet market demands. The government's entitlement process and land restrictions create an atmosphere in which well-planned projects create a sense of compliance with the perception of government. This, in turn, will change public perception.

However, many NIMBY and CAVE advocates are results of a migration of the populace to warmer climates and less populated areas. Most advocates of curtailing development are people new to the area, since the community landowners continue to believe their land and their savings account are one and the same. The government must maintain a balance between conflicting interests. Large-scale developments molding land uses, density, architectural appeal and, as well, creative pedestrian and vehicle relationships will be essential components of thriving communities.

1.4 Builder and Developer Vision

Undoubtedly, not all developers are suited to create, design, and construct a realistic community project based on an idealistic visualization. However, large-scale development approaches provide a flexibility and forum at which master developers can excel at meeting the needs of the marketplace. Creating practical land-use relationships on large parcels of land is beneficial to local government. Large-scale projects combine the highest and best land-use approach, resulting in a comprehensive infrastructure design that complements the vision of the project. Large-scale projects are consequences of developers filling a market need.

As housing projects increase in land area, number of residential dwelling units, and nonresidential uses, the political and economic viability is elevated in importance, and the risk associated with the project is magnified. Large-scale projects require substantial finances and time commitments to complete. These resources, however, do not always guarantee a successful project. A large-scale land-use project requires purchasing large parcels of land and holding on to the land for a long period of time. To be successful, the master developer must properly manage the political influences throughout the entire process....

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: Wiley
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2008
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 0471778931
• ISBN 13: 9780471778936
• Einband: Gebundene Ausgabe
• Auflage: 1
• Anzahl der Seiten: 336
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: Wiley-VCH GmbH; product_safety@wiley.com; ; Boschstrasse 12; Weinheim; 69469; Deutschland