ABSTRACT
In order to achieve the goals of socio-economic development and sustainable utilization of natural resources, spatial planning must be responsible for the conservation of natural resources. In Taiwan, mountainous hillslope areas cover approximately 78 per cent of the entire island and limit the availability of land for development. Conversely, the continued growth of the economy and population, along with the increased demand for living space, has amplified the pressure to develop environmentally sensitive areas. Therefore, integrating conservation into the development process to balance and protect the environment is an important task in spatial planning if sustainable development is to be accomplished.
