Defining the unitary types of urban uses: urban uses, land uses and land-use zones

Urban Land Use Survey Methods: A Discussion on Their Evolution

“…In many readings, especially the most contemporary ones, the use of these terms is problematic, as they are used interchangeably with their meaning varying according to context, while more often than not no (clear) definition is provided for each term. A recent article tried to shed some light on this discussion [4]; however, the field is still far from achieving widespread acceptance of the proposed terminology, as well as an understanding of the different cultural and scientific contexts that influence the use of these terms, especially between the United States and continental Europe. The classification of land uses also falls under the category of theoretical discussions.…”

“…(a) Initially, he refined land use terminology (an issue that is still open to discussion and further enhancement; see: [4]) through defining 'urban activities' as the functional and dynamic elements of urban space that take spatial expression in the form of 'land uses'. (b) He placed the survey and analysis of urban activities into a systems-thinking framework, in which the city planner must examine and interpret the evolution of activity systems in order to predict their future form and, eventually, to plan them in terms of land uses.…”

“…221-226), [3] (p. 274). Except when special reference is made, no differentiation is made in this article between 'urban use' and 'urban land use' [4]. The former term indicates each individual activity occupying a spatial location (see Figure 2), while the latter indicates the predominant activity within a defined spatial unit (see Figure 3).…”