Land development prepares property for a planned use through work such as planning, site design, infrastructure, approvals, and construction coordination.
Definition
Land development is the process of preparing property for a planned use. Depending on the project, it can involve due diligence, surveying, site design, grading, drainage, utilities, access, environmental review, permitting, subdivision, and construction coordination. Civil engineering firms may perform some of these services or coordinate with surveyors, environmental specialists, architects, agencies, and contractors. The scope varies with location, land use, owner decisions, and approval requirements, so proposals should identify tasks, assumptions, deliverables, and dependencies. Land development is not a single permit or a guarantee that a project will receive approval or be built. It also does not mean every technical or legal issue is covered by one engineering contract. Owners use milestone and responsibility planning to coordinate the work and understand where outside decisions or services affect delivery. See EPA for environmental program information relevant to some development projects.
How owners use it
- An owner maps the approvals, design tasks, and outside reviews needed to prepare a property for its intended use.
- A project manager coordinates survey, civil design, environmental review, utility, and agency tasks against project milestones.
- A firm defines its land development services and identifies work that depends on client, agency, or other consultant inputs.
