Land use

The land use impact area addresses the spatial and functional implications of CCAM by examining its effects on land utilisation patterns, including infrastructure development.

Land use describes how available land area is allocated for various purposes significant to the activities and functions of society. It is the socio-economic description of an area, or its functional dimension, including residential, industrial, commercial, agricultural, forestry, and recreational purposes. Land use is closely tied to infrastructure investments and transport planning.

This impact area covers both direct and indirect effects of CCAM on land use over the short and long term:

• Direct impacts: Additional space required for construction of new lanes or pick-up/drop-off areas for CCAM systems.
• Indirect impacts: Improved accessibility through CCAM may encourage urban sprawl by dispersing activities into suburban or rural areas, supporting the viability of businesses and services in previously less accessible regions. Reduced need for parking spaces could free up land for other uses. Space may also be needed for digital infrastructure within the built environment.

The next figure shows the main components of the land use impact area.

Main components of the land use impact area.