diff --git a/docs/LBCS_notes.md b/docs/LBCS_notes.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e044096 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/LBCS_notes.md @@ -0,0 +1,52 @@ +# LBCS Activity Dimension with Detail Descriptions +Activity is one of five dimensions in land-based classifications. Each dimension is an attribute that takes +the appropriate four-digit code. Only by using all five dimensions can one fully represent all land uses +and describe their characteristics. See the other dimensions before applying LBCS. + +## Activity +#### An observable characteristic of land based on actual use. +Activity refers to the actual use of land based on its observable characteristics. It describes what +actually takes place in physical or observable terms (e.g., farming, shopping, manufacturing, vehicular +movement, etc.). An office activity, for example, refers only to the physical activity on the premises, +which could apply equally to a law firm, a nonprofit institution, a court house, a corporate office, or any +other office use. Similarly, residential uses in single-family dwellings, multifamily structures, +manufactured houses, or any other type of building, would all be classified as residential activity. + +## Function +#### The economic use or type of establishment using the land. +Function refers to the economic function or type of establishment using the land. Every land-use can +be characterized by the type of establishment it serves. Land-use terms, such as agricultural, +commercial, industrial, relate to establishments. The type of economic function served by the land-use +gets classified in this dimension; it is independent of actual activity on the land. Establishments can +have a variety of activities on their premises, yet serve a single function. For example, two parcels are +said to be in the same functional category if they serve the same establishment, even if one is an office +building and the other is a factory. + +## Structure +#### Type of structure or building type on the land. +Structure refers to the type of structure or building on the land. Land-use terms embody a structural or +building characteristic, which indicates the utility of the space (in a building) or land (when there is no +building). Land-use terms, such as single-family house, office building, warehouse, hospital building, or +highway, also describe structural characteristic. Although many activities and functions are closely +associated with certain structures, it is not always so. Many buildings are often adapted for uses other +than its original use. For instance, a single-family residential structure may be used as an office. + +## Site +#### The overall physical site development character of the land. +Site development character refers to the overall physical development character of the land. It describes +"what is on the land" in general physical terms. For most land uses, it is simply expressed in terms of +whether the site is developed or not. But not all sites without observable development can be treated as +undeveloped. Land uses, such as parks and open spaces, which often have a complex mix of activities, +functions, and structures on them, need categories independent of other dimensions. This dimension +uses categories that describe the overall site development characteristics. + +## Ownership +#### Legal and quasi-legal ownership constraints of the land. +Ownership refers to the relationship between the use and its land rights. Since the function of most +land uses is either public or private and not both, distinguising ownership characteristics seems +obvious. However, relying solely on the functional character may obscure such uses as private parks, +public theaters, private stadiums, private prisons, and mixed public and private ownership. Moreover, +easements and similar legal devices also limit or constrain land-use activities and functions. This +dimension allows classifying such ownership characteristics more accurately. + +source: [LBCS standards document](https://www.planning.org/lbcs/)