ABSTRACT
Land is scenery, open space, and a setting for recreation. The most noteworthy sociological analysis of land use issues has been in metropolitan areas, and relatively little attention has been focused outside the urban fringe. Consideration of the relationships between land use and other aspects of social life is essential for a comprehensive understanding of community growth and development. The interests of farmers, developers, miners, conservationists, wildlife preservationists, and those who merely want to preserve the aesthetics of open space and a natural environment come together in the rural land use arena. Processes of sociodemographic change are inextricably tied to the pattern of settlement and land use. The land market is one of many interrelated institutions comprising the rural community. The nature of formal governmental action is another relevant aspect of the decision-making process. A high priority should be given to the conduct of local area case studies throughout the United States during the 1980s.
