ABSTRACT
This chapter encourages environmental planners to see the landscape not as a canvas on which to design new suburbs, communities and infrastructure, but instead as a living, dynamic combination of climates, soils and biota that should form the basis for sustainable planning. The chapter begins by highlighting the importance of the natural environment and biogeochemical processes for land use planning. Natural events such as drought, flood and fire will, at some time or another, affect Australian cities. Land use planning that accounts for natural landscapes and processes also makes financial sense. Environmental impacts are often greatest in urban environments. Environmental planners must therefore address multiple scales when planning for development that is sensitive to landscape processes. A strategic approach to land use and environmental planning requires a detailed understanding of key landscape values. Strategic impact assessments are often associated with regional and precinct planning.
