For most common land-use applications (land-use surveys, local comprehensive plans, regional land-use data aggregation, etc.), LBCS implementation can be distilled to the following steps:

Step 1: Download the top-level classification scheme. For site surveys, windshield surveys, handouts at public meetings, or staff discussion purposes, try this more suitable one-page summary.

Step 2: Create five new fields, one for each dimension of LBCS, in your land-use database (assuming each record in the database is a parcel or its equivalent) and name each field as follows:

• LBCSActivity
• LBCSFunction
• LBCSStructure
• LBCSSite
• LBCSOwnership

Step 3: For each parcel in the database, assign a top-level code (1000, 2000, 3000, etc.) for each of the five dimensions. That is, every record will get five land-use codes, one for each LBCS dimension. For any unknown dimensions, use the code 9999. It stands for unknown or not applicable. Remember, in LBCS there is no vacant land category. Before importing or converting existing data, an understanding of the limitations of automatic conversions is a must.

Step 4: Download the color coding standard and use those colors for online viewing of maps, rendering or plotting on map plotters, or printing using color printers. They should look consistent across most formats.

MORE DETAILS FOR QUICK IMPLEMENTATION

For Step 1: Download other views (tree views, table views, etc.) if the purpose is for staff discussions or local public meetings. They have detailed descriptions, which may be more suitable for distribution at public meetings.

For Step 2: Adopt best practices from database design principles if the land-use database is to serve multiple applications or will be used by the planning agency for a long time. For example, instead of creating five new fields in your land-use database, create five new tables, one for each dimension. Then link the parcel database to each of the five tables using a one-to-many relationship. (If this does not make sense, please consult a database expert. It is a trivial thing for database programmers to set up such relational databases. The sample data model can be used to show a database expert to setup the database). Such a setup allows assigning as many activity codes to a single parcel in the Activity table, as many function codes as necessary in the function table, and so on. (See the picture of the shopping center example below).

For Step 3: If you already have existing land-use data that you want to use, here are some quick suggestions:

• For activity data, the best person to identify activities is the local planner responsible for land-use and zoning applications.
• For function data, you can use the old SLUCM or SIC codes, but a conversion is required. Familiarize with look up tables and conversion issues before converting too much data.
• For structure type data, building or and real estate (taxation) departments might have "improvements" on the site collected. Some of this data can be directly imported, but note that not all building and real estate departments use uniform categories.
• For site development character, any recent aerial survey pictures can help. Especially if these pictures are available on a GIS as a backdrop to a parcel map, editing database records becomes very easy.
• For ownership characteristics, local zoning or real estate staff input would be required. Some of this can be easily identified using real-estate tax records, but for complex easements, proffers, dedications, and such, local planners familiar with such instruments will have to help.

For Step 4: When mapping, do not mix dimensions. Keep each dimension separate. Colors are unique to categories within a dimension only. Complex layering requires choosing colors and hatch patterns carefully. Do not use more than a couple of colors if the purpose is to show a complex characteristic (say you want to map all home occupations in residential structures. Just color the parcels with home occupations and leave the rest blank). Keep maps simple, but don't hesitate to use several maps to make a point.

MORE QUESTIONS?

• Try the FAQ and Quick Answers.