Framework for making resource use decisions: An application to subdivision development

Resource use decisions such as those involving subdivision development often have been made with limited consideration of socioeconomic and physical resource impacts. Indeed, many social and environmental difficulties have stemmed from the narrow confines of decision criteria which have centered on immediate production costs with a lesser regard for physical and biological effects and social costs. How, then, do we incorporate total resource assessment into the decision making process?To date, many have suggested what must be done. Yet, few have attempted to illustrate with specific examples. The authors of this article in suggesting two major dimensions to traditional benefit cost analysis have attempted to consolidate various concepts currently developing from regional efforts in techniques for land use planning.