Density bonus as a tool for green space conservation: An evaluation of its use in British Columbia's rural-urban fringe

The key challenge in achieving urban sustainability is accommodating growth while maintaining livability and sustaining ecological systems. Density bonus, also called amenity zoning, is a market-based planning tool that brings greater flexibility into the zoning process by providing incentives to encourage private investment in public amenities and the creation of socially preferred patterns and types of development.; This study evaluated the use of density bonus as a tool for green space conservation in British Columbia's rural-urban fringe. A literature review on amenity zoning and other alternative development techniques provided context for the study, and informed the construction of an evaluative framework. An interview-questionnaire was developed and used to gauge the experiences and opinions of 19 individuals from the planning and development sectors.; Density bonus can improve the efficiency of local government expenditures by acquiring green space with little or no direct cash outlay. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...