Identifying high-value greenspace prior to land development

Abstract

Community greenspace provides ecologic, social, and economic benefits, but these benefits are often overlooked in the land development process. As growth pressures intensify, undeveloped land is converted to other uses, often with little regard for parcels that are better suited for greenspace preservation. This paper provides a methodology for locating high-valued greenspace. Using Stevens point, Wisconsin, U.S., as a case study, significant greenspaces were identified by assessing the size, composition, and location of forests, wetlands, and grasslands in and around the urbanized area. The ecologic, recreational, and aesthetic value of each parcel was rated and the following four-part process for prioritization was developed: (1) project scope definition, (2) data collection and GIS map development, (3) data analysis and parcel ranking, and (4) protected lands overlay. Geographic information systems (GIS) technology was used as a tool to collect, store, and spatially analyze the project's data.