“Preserving forests in an urban world” is a good article to help planners preserve forests in urban and suburban areas.

Conservation subdivisions are mentioned as a tool to protect forests and habitat: Conservation subdivisions aim to keep 50-70 percent of a development as open space. These special subdivisions can reduce infrastructure costs for developers and provide flexibility in lot size.

The article states that Steve Allen, a masters student at N.C. State, identified barriers to implementing conservation subdivisions, including:

1. A lack of incentives for developers, which can include tax breaks, density bonuses, expedited permit review process and reduced setback requirements;

I disagree with providing developers with density bonuses and tax breaks for conservation subdivisions. Why? Studies prove that developers will make MORE money with a conservation subdivision than a conventional cookie-cutter subdivision, and it will be less costly and sell faster. 

It’s a good article. Learn more

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