In our culture, individual ownership of land has been considered the best way to make use of natural resources. During the past century, there has been a growing awareness of how land use impacts all of us, and that the environment needs to be preserved. As a result, federal, state, and local governments have become more involved in regulating how land is used. Governments have justified their actions in determining how land is used with the four interests of health, safety, morals, and general welfare.
For example, Queen Elizabeth I, in 16th century England, designated certain parts of London for residential use only, in order to prevent the spread of disease. The City of Philadelphia, in the 1600s, planted trees along the sides of streets to provide shade during the summer months, in the interests of health. In our current times, environmental protection regulations and zoning have become the methods local governments use to exercise its right to promote the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the people in regards to land use.
Central Park (shown at the right) is a public park at the center of Manhattan in New York City. The park initially opened in 1857, on 843 acres of city-owned land. Central Park is the most visited urban park in the United States. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962, the park is currently managed by the Central Park Conservancy under contract with the city government.
