Metropolitan Green Belt

Definition

A policy or land use designation used in land use planning to retain areas of largely undeveloped, wild, or agricultural land surrounding or neighboring urban areas.

Analogy

Think of a metropolitan green belt like the margins around a page of writing. The city is the text, full and bustling with activity. The green belt is the margin - it's kept clear and open, providing space between the city (the text) and everything else outside it.

Related terms

Urban Sprawl: The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas.

Sustainable Development: Economic development that meets the needs of the present without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs.

Land Use Planning: The process by which lands are evaluated and assessed to decide how they should be used based on various factors such as economic factors, social factors, environmental factors etc.