ABSTRACT
Most standards are expressed as specification standards which prescribe sizes, dimensions or materials. Performance standards are much more flexible and, therefore, much more desirable in practice, but unfortunately they require a degree of sophistication which may not exist in a particular country. A useful basis for establishing the major urban land uses is given by Robin Best, following the original data requirements for the British new towns, which distinguish four main categories: housing; industry; open space; and education. An important measure in terms of maximising the return on investment in housing land is the proportion of the total area used for actual lots. Obviously a percentage must be used for roads, community facilities and open space, but in low-income areas, where subsidies should be low and where costs must be partially recovered from the beneficiaries, this should be kept to a reasonable minimum.
