Alternative Text Description for Future Land Use 2020 (Level 2)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays generalized future land use designations across the State of Florida as of 2020. Future land use categories represent the intended land use types as defined by local governments throughout the state. The map aggregates detailed local future land use categories into statewide categories at an intermediate level (Level 2), showing 21 distinct land use classifications including agricultural, conservation, residential, commercial, and mixed-use areas. The map provides a comprehensive view of planned development and land management across Florida's diverse geography.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers the entire State of Florida, extending from the panhandle region in the northwest (including areas near Dothan and Albany outside state borders) through the peninsula to the Florida Keys in the south. Major cities labeled on the map include Jacksonville on the northeast coast, Orlando in central Florida, Tampa on the west coast, Miami in the southeast, and Cape Coral on the southwest coast. The map shows Florida bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Gulf of America to the west and south. Portions of neighboring states Georgia, Alabama, and the Straits of Florida are visible as gray areas outside the state boundaries.

KEY INSIGHTS

The map reveals several dominant spatial patterns in Florida's planned future land use. Agriculture (light green) represents the most extensive land use category by area, particularly dominating the interior regions of north-central and south-central Florida, with large concentrations around Lake Okeechobee and throughout the panhandle. Conservation areas (dark green) form the second most prominent category, appearing as large continuous blocks in the Everglades region of southern Florida, substantial areas in the Big Cypress region southwest of Lake Okeechobee, significant parcels in north-central Florida, and scattered throughout the panhandle. Urban and developed areas show strong clustering along both coasts, with particularly dense concentrations around major metropolitan areas including Miami-Fort Lauderdale in the southeast, Tampa-St. Petersburg on the west coast, Orlando in the interior, and Jacksonville in the northeast. A notable east-west corridor of mixed development extends across central Florida connecting the Tampa and Orlando metropolitan areas. Residential development at various densities (shown in yellow and orange tones) forms extensive suburban patterns surrounding all major cities and along coastal regions. The southern tip of the peninsula, encompassing the Everglades and surrounding areas, shows the state's largest continuous conservation designation. Native American Lands (magenta/purple) appear as distinct parcels scattered throughout the state, with notable concentrations in south Florida and central Florida.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Future Land Use 2020 (Level 2)

This layer represents generalized future land use designations for the entire State of Florida, showing planned land use types as determined by local governments.

Agriculture (light green/pale yellow-green)

Appearance: Light green or pale yellow-green color covering large continuous areas.

Distribution: Dominates the interior regions of the state, particularly extensive in north-central Florida, the area surrounding Lake Okeechobee in south-central Florida, and throughout the panhandle region.

Notable locations: Largest continuous agricultural areas appear in the interior panhandle west of Tallahassee, the region north of Lake Okeechobee extending northward through central Florida, and scattered throughout rural interior counties.

Spatial patterns: Forms the background land use for much of rural Florida, appearing as large uninterrupted blocks in interior regions with less agricultural designation along developed coastal areas.

Conservation (dark green/teal)

Appearance: Dark green or teal color appearing as large solid blocks and smaller scattered parcels.

Distribution: Major concentrations in southern Florida (Everglades region), southwest Florida (Big Cypress area), north-central Florida, and distributed throughout the panhandle and Big Bend region.

Notable locations: The largest single conservation area encompasses the Everglades in southern Florida extending from below Lake Okeechobee to the southern tip of the peninsula. Significant conservation blocks appear in the Big Cypress region west of Miami, in the Ocala National Forest area of north-central Florida, and in the Apalachicola National Forest region of the panhandle.

Spatial patterns: Appears as large contiguous protected areas corresponding to national forests, national parks, state forests, and water management districts, with smaller conservation parcels interspersed throughout developed regions.

Residential - Very Low Density (0.51 - 2 DU/AC) (yellow with small black dots)

Appearance: Yellow color with small black dotted pattern.

Distribution: Extensively distributed throughout suburban and exurban areas surrounding all major metropolitan regions and along both coastlines.

Notable locations: Particularly prominent in suburban areas surrounding Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and throughout coastal communities on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Forms extensive suburban belts around major cities.

Spatial patterns: Creates transition zones between urban cores and rural/agricultural areas, appearing as suburban development rings around cities and linear coastal development corridors.

Residential - Low Density (2.01 - 5 DU/AC) (yellow with medium black dots)

Appearance: Yellow color with medium-sized black dotted pattern, denser than very low density residential.

Distribution: Concentrated in suburban areas closer to urban cores, particularly around major metropolitan areas and established coastal communities.

Notable locations: Forms substantial portions of suburban development in the greater Orlando area, Tampa Bay region, Jacksonville suburbs, and coastal communities along both coasts.

Spatial patterns: Typically appears between very low density residential areas and higher density urban cores, creating gradual density transitions in metropolitan regions.

Residential - Medium Density (5.01 - 12 DU/AC) (yellow/orange with dense black dots)

Appearance: Yellow-orange color with dense black dotted pattern.

Distribution: Clustered in inner suburban areas of major cities and established urban neighborhoods.

Notable locations: Prominent in inner suburbs of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville metropolitan areas.

Spatial patterns: Forms intermediate density zones between low density suburbs and high density urban cores, appearing as rings around downtown areas and in mature suburban communities.

Residential - High Density (> 12 DU/AC) (solid yellow-orange)

Appearance: Solid yellow-orange color without dot pattern.

Distribution: Concentrated in urban core areas of major cities.

Notable locations: Most visible in downtown Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville areas, though appearing as smaller areas compared to lower density categories.

Spatial patterns: Appears as compact urban centers within larger metropolitan areas, representing the most densely developed residential zones.

Residential - Rural (<= 0.5 DU/AC) (pale yellow/cream)

Appearance: Very pale yellow or cream color.

Distribution: Scattered throughout rural areas of the state, particularly in the panhandle and interior regions.

Notable locations: Dispersed in rural communities throughout north Florida and in areas transitioning from agricultural to low-density residential use.

Spatial patterns: Appears as small scattered parcels in predominantly agricultural regions, representing very low density rural homesteads and ranchettes.

Commercial (red)

Appearance: Bright red color appearing as small distinct parcels.

Distribution: Distributed throughout urban and suburban areas, typically appearing as small individual parcels rather than large continuous areas.

Notable locations: Concentrated along major transportation corridors in metropolitan areas, particularly visible in the Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and South Florida regions.

Spatial patterns: Forms linear patterns along major roadways and clusters at intersections and commercial nodes within urban and suburban areas, appearing as small red dots throughout developed regions.

Federal (dark blue/purple)

Appearance: Dark blue or purple color appearing as distinct parcels of varying sizes.

Distribution: Scattered throughout the state with notable concentrations in south Florida, the panhandle, and along the Atlantic coast.

Notable locations: Visible in southern Florida near Miami and the Everglades area, in the panhandle region, and at various military installations and federal facilities throughout the state.

Spatial patterns: Appears as discrete parcels corresponding to federal facilities, military bases, and federally managed lands, not forming continuous corridors but rather isolated installations.

Mixed Use - Downtown/Urban Core (brown/tan)

Appearance: Brown or tan color appearing as small concentrated areas.

Distribution: Located in the central business districts of major cities.

Notable locations: Most prominent in downtown Miami, downtown Orlando, downtown Tampa, and downtown Jacksonville.

Spatial patterns: Appears as compact areas at the centers of major metropolitan regions, representing high-intensity mixed-use urban cores.

Mixed Use - General (brown/tan, lighter than downtown)

Appearance: Brown or tan color similar to downtown/urban core designation.

Distribution: Scattered throughout urban and suburban areas in larger parcels than downtown/urban core.

Notable locations: Distributed in secondary urban centers and suburban activity nodes throughout major metropolitan areas.

Spatial patterns: Forms activity centers and nodes within suburban areas, appearing at key intersections and planned mixed-use developments.

Mixed Use - Neighborhood/Activity Center (brown with crosshatch pattern)

Appearance: Brown color with crosshatch or diagonal line pattern.

Distribution: Distributed throughout suburban areas as small neighborhood-scale developments.

Notable locations: Scattered throughout suburban regions of Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and South Florida metropolitan areas.

Spatial patterns: Appears as small nodes within predominantly residential areas, representing neighborhood commercial centers and activity nodes.

Mixed Use - Rural (olive/yellow-green with pattern)

Appearance: Olive or yellow-green color with pattern overlay.

Distribution: Scattered in rural areas and small towns throughout the state.

Notable locations: Dispersed in rural communities particularly in north Florida and interior regions.

Spatial patterns: Appears as small scattered parcels in rural areas, representing mixed-use developments in small towns and rural crossroads communities.

Mixed Use - Special Planning Area (magenta/purple)

Appearance: Magenta or purple color appearing as distinct parcels.

Distribution: Scattered throughout the state in areas designated for special planning attention.

Notable locations: Visible in various locations including parts of south Florida, central Florida, and the panhandle region.

Spatial patterns: Appears as discrete areas designated for special development planning, often in transitional or redevelopment zones.

Native American Lands (bright magenta/purple)

Appearance: Bright magenta or purple color appearing as distinct parcels of varying sizes.

Distribution: Scattered throughout the state with concentrations in south-central and central Florida.

Notable locations: Notable parcels visible in the area west of Lake Okeechobee, in central Florida, in south Florida west of Miami, and scattered locations in north-central Florida.

Spatial patterns: Appears as discrete tribal land parcels, primarily representing Seminole and Miccosukee tribal reservations and trust lands.

Industrial (gray)

Appearance: Gray color appearing as small scattered parcels.

Distribution: Distributed throughout urban and suburban areas, typically near transportation corridors and ports.

Notable locations: Concentrated near major ports including Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami, and along major transportation routes in urban areas.

Spatial patterns: Forms clusters near transportation infrastructure, ports, and at the edges of urban areas, appearing as small discrete industrial zones.

Institutional (blue)

Appearance: Blue color appearing as small to medium-sized parcels.

Distribution: Scattered throughout urban and suburban areas.

Notable locations: Distributed throughout metropolitan areas, representing schools, universities, hospitals, and government facilities.

Spatial patterns: Appears as discrete parcels throughout developed areas, corresponding to public and institutional facilities.

Office/Professional (light purple/lavender)

Appearance: Light purple or lavender color appearing as small parcels.

Distribution: Concentrated in urban and suburban areas, particularly in major metropolitan regions.

Notable locations: Visible in business districts and suburban office parks throughout Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and South Florida.

Spatial patterns: Forms clusters in business districts and along major commercial corridors, appearing as small parcels within urban and suburban areas.

Planned Development (pink/light magenta)

Appearance: Pink or light magenta color appearing as scattered parcels.

Distribution: Distributed throughout growth areas of the state, particularly in suburban expansion zones.

Notable locations: Visible in growth corridors around major metropolitan areas and in areas planned for future development.

Spatial patterns: Appears as parcels in areas designated for comprehensive planned development, often at the urban fringe or in redevelopment zones.

Recreation (bright green/lime green)

Appearance: Bright green or lime green color appearing as small to medium parcels.

Distribution: Scattered throughout the state, with concentrations near urban areas and along coastlines.

Notable locations: Distributed throughout metropolitan areas representing parks, golf courses, and recreational facilities, with notable presence in coastal areas.

Spatial patterns: Appears as discrete parcels throughout developed areas, forming a network of recreational spaces within and adjacent to urban regions.

Transportation/Utilities (gray)

Appearance: Gray color appearing as linear features and small parcels.

Distribution: Forms linear corridors throughout the state and appears as distinct parcels for utility facilities.

Notable locations: Visible as transportation corridors connecting major cities and as utility facility sites throughout urban and rural areas.

Spatial patterns: Creates linear patterns corresponding to major transportation routes, airports, and utility corridors, with point locations for utility facilities.

Water (light blue)

Appearance: Light blue color representing water bodies.

Distribution: Appears as large lakes, reservoirs, and major water features throughout the state.

Notable locations: Major water features include Lake Okeechobee in south-central Florida (appearing as a large light blue area), numerous lakes in central Florida around Orlando, and water management areas in southern Florida.

Spatial patterns: Forms distinct hydrological features including natural lakes, reservoirs, and managed water bodies, with the largest concentration in the central Florida lake district and southern water conservation areas.

Unknown (white with crosshatch pattern)

Appearance: White or light gray color with crosshatch pattern.

Distribution: Scattered sparsely throughout the state as small parcels.

Notable locations: Appears as isolated small parcels in various locations, representing areas where future land use designation is not available or not classified.

Spatial patterns: Forms very small scattered parcels throughout the state, representing data gaps or unclassified areas in the source data.

Overlapping Patterns

The map shows complex overlapping patterns in metropolitan regions where higher density residential categories transition through medium and low density zones to rural residential and agricultural areas at the urban fringe. Coastal areas display distinctive patterns with mixed-use, commercial, and residential categories concentrated along the shoreline, backed by conservation areas in some locations. The central Florida corridor between Tampa and Orlando shows intensive mixed development with residential, commercial, and mixed-use categories forming a continuous development pattern. Conservation areas frequently adjoin agricultural lands, particularly in north-central Florida and around Lake Okeechobee.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map represents generalized future land use designations based on local government comprehensive plans throughout Florida. The "Level 2" designation indicates an intermediate level of aggregation, where detailed local future land use categories from various jurisdictions have been standardized into 21 statewide categories for regional comparison and analysis. The residential density categories are measured in dwelling units per acre (DU/AC), ranging from rural residential at less than 0.5 units per acre to high density residential at greater than 12 units per acre. Future land use designations represent planned or intended land uses as adopted in local comprehensive plans, not necessarily current land use or land cover. The map combines data from multiple local government sources collected at different times, as detailed in the metadata. Some areas show "Unknown" classification where future land use data was not available from local sources or could not be classified into the Level 2 categories. The map is most appropriate for regional and statewide planning analysis rather than detailed site-specific land use determinations.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source: The data were obtained from various local government data sources throughout Florida, including county and municipal planning departments. Local future land use categories from comprehensive plans were generalized using a standardized classification scheme to create consistent statewide Level 2 categories. Data source layer name: FLU_L2_2020_APR22.

Definition Query: No definition query or filter criteria was applied. The map shows all future land use categories across the entire state.

Scale Information: The map displays the entire State of Florida at a regional scale appropriate for statewide planning analysis and regional pattern identification. This scale is suitable for understanding broad land use patterns and regional relationships but not appropriate for parcel-level or site-specific land use determinations.

Coordinate System: NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087), a projected coordinate system optimized for statewide mapping of Florida using Albers Equal Area Conic projection.

Time Period of Content: The data represents future land use designations as of 2020, compiled in April 2022. Source data collection dates vary by jurisdiction; specific dates for each local government source are documented in the metadata.

Limitations: This dataset aggregates future land use information from multiple local government sources collected at different times, which may result in inconsistencies at jurisdictional boundaries. The level of detail in original source data varies by jurisdiction, and the Level 2 aggregation generalizes local categories which may obscure important local distinctions. Future land use designations represent planned uses as adopted in local comprehensive plans and may not reflect recent amendments, current development patterns, or actual land cover. Some areas are classified as "Unknown" where local data was unavailable or could not be reliably classified. The map should not be used for legal determinations, site-specific development decisions, or regulatory purposes. Users should consult local government sources for authoritative future land use information for specific parcels or areas.

Map Coverage: The map covers the entire State of Florida including the panhandle, peninsula, and Florida Keys. Surrounding areas including portions of Georgia, Alabama, and the Gulf of America and Atlantic Ocean are shown in gray for geographic context but do not contain future land use data. The map extends slightly beyond Florida's borders to provide spatial orientation.

The alternative text description of this map was AI-generated and may contain inaccuracies.