What land planning technique focuses on preserving open space while concentrating buildings?

Cluster development is a land planning technique that focuses on concentrating buildings in a specific area of a site while preserving a significant portion of the land as open space. This approach encourages the efficient use of land by allowing higher density in designated zones, thereby reducing the overall environmental impact. By grouping structures together, it increases the amount of land retained for natural habitats, recreation, and natural resource management, which contributes to the preservation of biodiversity and the aesthetic qualities of the landscape.

This technique is particularly beneficial in suburban and rural areas, where it allows for the balance between development and the conservation of green spaces, which helps manage stormwater runoff and creates tranquil environments for residents. By laying out developments in this manner, cluster development fosters community cohesion while safeguarding the natural character of the land.

The other choices do not directly pertain to this land planning philosophy, as borrow pits involve excavation for materials, compaction relates to soil density, and brush layering refers to a method used in ecological restoration and erosion control, none of which focus on the integration of buildings with the intention to preserve open space.