Nomenclature Land Use Planning

In the [[English speaking world]], the terms ''land use planning'', ''town and country planning'', ''regional planning'', ''town planning'', ''urban planning'', and ''urban design'' are often used interchangeably, and will depend on the country in question but do not always have the same meaning. In Europe the preferred term is increasingly ''spatial planning'' or more recently ''territorial cohesion'' (for regional and trans-national planning).

In [[Australia]], the [[United Kingdom]], and [[New Zealand]], the term ''town planning'' is common, although ''regional planning'' and ''land use planning'' are also used.

In the [[United States]] and [[Canada]], the terms ''urban planning'' and ''regional planning'' are more commonly used.

Land Use Planning

Land use planning is the term used for a branch of public policy which encompasses various disciplines which seek to order and regulate the use of land in an efficient and ethical way.
Despite confusing nomenclature, the essential function of land use planning remains the same whatever term is applied. The Canadian Institute of Planners offers a definition that: "[Land use] planning means the scientific, aesthetic, and orderly disposition of land, resources, facilities and services with a view to securing the physical, economic and social efficiency, health and well-being of urban and rural communities"