Urbanization

• In the 1982 book "Urban Land Economics" by Herbert B. Dorau and Albert G. Hinman, private ownership of land and land utilization are hot button issues in deciding how to build new residential and commercial spaces as well as conserve natural resources. John Stuart MacKenzie wrote in the 1889 book "Introduction to Social Philosophy," how the growth of large cities "constitutes perhaps the greatest of all problems of modern civilization." The space of land does not rise with growing populations, and as more rural land turns to commercial property, urbanization leads to crowding, overuse of land resources and increase of pollution.
  
  

Land Use

• The University of Tennessee's Institute of Agriculture studies the change of land use due to rapid economic growth. It found a variety of issues including interactions between land development and value, the effects of urban growth on land, lack of open space, land conservation practices and policies in addition to housing prices and land development forecasting. Another issue with land use is fragmentation of farmland and urban planning for cities and rural areas, particularly how to organize farms as well as develop residential and commercial areas.
  
  

Natural Resources

• As human populations develop, environmental issues crop up, such as air and water pollution, waste disposal, invasive species and endangerment of animals and vegetation. In land economics, debates ensue over the pros and cons of alternative policies that conserve natural resources. For instance, road construction often disrupts forest habitats by displacing animals and cutting down trees. Land economists assess the alternatives to damaging natural resources and create plans for land development that minimize the risks.
  
  

Public Utilities

• A public utility organization offers services such as electricity, natural gas, water and sewage to the general public. These organizations must comply with government regulations as well as monitor safety and conservation issues within the organization. In land economics, public utilities cause pollution and emission issues which may not be regulated closely. While public utilities are encouraged to control pollution and conserve, they are not required to adhere to any strict regulations because they also must provide sufficient energy and services to the public, which may mean exacerbation of natural resources and pollution.