1. Sustainability: The environmental impact of land development design should be minimized by ensuring that resources are used sustainably and that the resulting structures are environmentally efficient.
2. Site analysis: Land development design should consider the natural features of the site, such as soil composition, drainage patterns, existing vegetation, and topography, to minimize disruption and impact to the natural environment.
3. Water conservation: Land development design should focus on rainwater harvesting, on-site water retention or support a water source ecosystem. It should minimize the water usage from public systems and disposal into municipal waste systems.
4. Energy efficiency: Land development design should include the efficient use of energy sources, such as solar energy or wind power, and incorporate energy-efficient structures to minimize the carbon footprint.
5. Stormwater management: Effective stormwater management can be designed for efficient collection and retention/reuse of rainwater before it enters the public water system if necessary, which helps to protect local water ecosystems from pollutants.
6. Preservation of natural resource function and integrity: The natural function of the ecosystem and the ecological integrity of the site must be preserved and protected where possible.
7. Habitat protection: Land development design should consider earmarking an ecological system on which the local creatures have evolved to survive.
8. Waste management: Land development design should include measures to minimize construction waste generation and promote recycling, reusing or upcycling waste materials wherever possible.
9. Transportation: Efficient transport integration to minimize the usage of individual vehicles, such as public transit or adopting mixed-use construction of walkable communities also represents an essential characteristic of eco-friendly land development design.
10. Construction materials: The environmental preferences for land development design can be elevated by utilizing Sustainable building materials, such as recycled or low-carbon materials and keeping the carbon footprint minimal.
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