Ethical Land Use

That land is a community is the basic concept of ecology, wrote Aldo Leopold in 1933, but that land is to be loved and respected is an extension of ethics. Since then, every generation has taken up Leopold's search for a land ethic to guide decision-making which would balance economic considerations with concerns for beauty, sustainability and quality-of-life. Should a community preserve or develop the remaining wetlands within its jurisdiction? Should a local government allow low-income housing to be built in an affluent neighbourhood? Does a farmer continue farming despite surrounding urbanization or does he sell the land for a profit and allow further development?