The modern dicipline of Geomatics covers a wide range of earth-related practices including; remote sensing, surveying, civil engineering  and geodesy.   What might be considered related branches of earth arts are the ancient Chinese art of feng shui and the more recent philosophy of permaculture.  These combine the strictly scientific with social and intuitive inputs.  Geomancy as described by feng shui texts exhibit some interesting convergences with permaculture principles despite different basic fundamentals and both arts are based on social and energetic values of  conservation and renewal that can help guide our planning choices.

Feng shui is an enormously complicated system, but at least one style recognizes Yin and Yang and the duality of concepts at the heart.  Feng shui practitioners, as I understand it, place great importance on placing their feet on the ground and walking a site to sense the larger forces at work.  Likewise, the first principle of permaculture is "Observation and Interaction," requiring acute observation and intimate knowledge of a particular area.  Permaculture and feng shui both, also dictate working from a greater pattern, understanding the connectedness and allowing the forces of wind, water and chi, to work with our human "improvements".

Both systems recognize exterior forces at work on any site.  The Earth's magnetic field, the cardinal directions in respect to celestial orientation and what the geomancers refer to as the "dragon" and "tiger" forces are macro influences always in effect.  These are neither benificent or malicious, but can be observed and intuited from a prolonged and thoughtful on the ground interaction.  Design choices can be made that will enhance different aspects of the existing site features and energies, and it is possible to engineer design solutions that create a nurturing, welcoming impression, or conversely, the harsh, forbidding and erosive forces can be employed, either inadvertantly or intentionally.

As human beings, we intuitively understand the effects of harmonious balance of nature's forces.  We are also easily destroyed by the extremes of imbalance.  Every site has unique resources.  Imposing a canned or pre-conceived design on any site creates unnatural tension as the Earth attempts to reclaim its equilibrium, and the imposed structures inevitably shift to accommodate.  Earth-tension most noticeably manifests as erosion and drainage problems, pollution or contamination and unaesthetic.

Land development in this country has been driven largely by economic factors, and even the smallest-scale land use projects are rooted in the concept of land as a commodity and are financed by anticipation of eventual gain.  As long as individuals can acquire title to property and transfer ownership this is not likely to change.

However, more and more, the public agencies, our elected officials, and the duly enacted laws and regulation that we have placed upon ourselves to help ensure the public safety and well-being, are affecting land use.  Land -use restrictions reflect a general desire to conserve and protect the resources  that all of us depend on, clean air, clean water and other natural and cultural artifacts that affect our health and enjoyment.

As resource managers, land-use restrictions are a good indication of present and community future values.  Building restrictions reflect our Cultural values.  They have always reflected a concern for public health and safety, but sustainablily and conservation are relatively new faces of the development codes.  We should recognize that the codes are a clear statement of democratic value.  The Heritage trees are protected because the public values them.  This means that resources present on a project enhance the site value and should be respected accordingly.  Good design begins with a good inventory and understanding of site features.