Landscape structure, zoning ordinance, and topography in hillside residential neighborhoods: A case study of Morgantown, WV

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship among landscape structure, zoning ordinance, and geographic attributes in Morgantown, West Virginia. Two residential areas zoned by different standards, but with similar development history and socioeconomic status were examined. Aerial photography was digitized into woody and non-woody areas and the landscape structure was quantified with six core landscape metrics related to fragmentation. Computer aided design (CAD) map and digital elevation model (DEM) were used for the calculation of building footprint and geographical characteristics respectively. The findings indicate that differences in zoning requirements result in distinct landscape structure. Zoning requirements for smaller minimum lot size and lot frontage result in more vegetation but also result in more fragmentation than requirements that call for greater minimum lot size and lot frontage. Although building footprint is weakly associated with landscape structure, lot size and lot perimeter are strongly related to vegetation abundance, fragmentation, and dominance. Slope is associated with vegetation patch size, especially in hilly residential neighborhoods. This study provides a better understanding of how human and environmental factors are related to residential landscape structure at different scale. Providing numerous quantitative metrics is useful for understanding social and ecological benefits. The results of this study will help planners, landscape architects, and administrators for planning and designing more ecologically and socially sustainable neighborhoods. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.