The capabilities of AI are boundless, and its effects promise to introduce new dimensions to the present land use planning regimes. Yet, despite these benefits, human expertise, and the human perspective in land use remain indispensable.
Feb. 6, 2025
In a world driven by efficiency, artificial intelligence (AI) reigns supreme. To that end, the ever-evolving landscape of AI continually presents new software and capabilities, sometimes raising questions about the necessity of a human equivalent. However, a lesser-explored conversation arises when AI truly integrates with an industry that depends heavily on human expertise and experience. Enter: AI and land use—the perfect match.
As will be further discussed below, AI advancements have facilitated, and will continue to facilitate, more informed decision-making and resource-saving efficiencies that were previously unattainable with traditional methods. The capabilities of AI are boundless, and its effects promise to introduce new dimensions to the present land use planning regimes. Yet, despite these benefits, human expertise, and the human perspective in land use remain indispensable.
The Pre-AI Era
Historically, land use decisions and urban planning relied almost exclusively on human expertise and manual processes. Traditional urban planning was both cost-intensive and laborious, requiring, among other things, numerous field surveys and a range of professional touchpoints, such as urban planners themselves, environmental managers, landscape architects, etc. Moreover, extensive regulations specific to municipalities or regional planning areas governed these decisions.
Although abundant, the data was often fragmented, spread across paperbacks and electronic codebooks, which led to a lack of shared knowledge and the isolation of key issues and concerns that should have been integrated. In essence, the pre-AI era of land use was marked by inefficiency, tediousness, and an overall lack of synergy.
AI in Action
Today, AI software permeates all facets of land use with trends toward facilitating smart and sustainable development—both environmentally and economically. With further utilization of AI tools, the present land use regime has been able to tackle long-existing urbanization challenges, such as transportation issues, while eliminating costly remedial processes that previously burdened the average citizen. In the world of land use AI has successfully advanced what every industry seeks in this millennium; the name of the game: efficiency.
A prime example of AI’s impact can be seen in Miami’s own pioneering software—Miami 21. Launched in 2009, Miami 21 is a form-based zoning application that consolidates hundreds of codes, ordinances, standards and procedures for new development in the city of Miami into one single, comprehensive code, easily accessibly online. As previously mentioned, in the past, land use stakeholders had to search for this data across fragmented sources. Miami 21 now offers a streamlined, holistic approach to land use and urban planning. Today, developers, city officials, and urban planners alike reference Miami 21 as Miami continues to be one of the fastest-developing cities in America.
Another example that may (literally) be more close to home, is Zillow, which leverages AI to help people buy, rent, sell or finance homes. Similarly, other real estate platforms utilize AI to ensure that mortgage originators and secondary markets base their credit decisions on reliable, high-confidence data, safeguarded against data manipulation.
Just recently, OpenAI launched ChatGPT Gov, which is designed to streamline government agencies’ access to OpenAI’s frontier models. OpenAI touts this newly designed engine as a method to boost the U.S. government’s efficiency and productivity, while providing a tool to support the public sector in tackling complex challenges—from improving public health and infrastructure to strengthening national security. Similar products will likely be offered in the near future narrowly tailored to assist local and regional governments to carry out their respective duties to the general public. According to OpenAI, since 2024, more than 90,000 users across more than 3,500 federal, state, and local government agencies have sent more than 18 million messages on ChatGPT to support their day-to-day work. The list of AI-enhanced real estate capabilities goes on and on.
AI Potential in Land Use
While AI has undoubtedly made its mark on the present land use regime, there are still areas that would greatly benefit from its further incorporation and utilization. As is known, land use is expansive, encompassing areas such as housing, health, community planning and more. Thus, there is immense potential for an AI platform to consolidate big data from each specific area of the broader land use regime, into one central, comprehensive source, allowing for continuous refinement and improvement.
AI has significant room to grow in solving one of urban life’s biggest headaches—traffic. By analyzing spatial distribution patterns and integrating data on jobs and housing for example, an AI platform could create enhanced traffic forecasting for citizens. Again, it is this level of data integration, which has often lacked in the past, where AI truly excels.
Another area for enhanced application of AI tools is in urban disaster management and flood resistance. AI, leveraging consolidated big data, could provide local governments with the information needed to anticipate potential disasters and mitigate them once they’ve occurred. Urban disaster management, powered by AI, will become increasingly in-demand as major natural disasters become more frequent across the nation’s biggest, and most densely populated cities.
Real Estate Heaven: Bridging Technology and Human Input in Land Use
Needless to say, AI has altered land use as we know it. Yet, while there are some areas where AI could in fact replace human functions all together, land use is not one of them. This field exemplifies the perfect symbiosis between technology, human input, and industry. The future of land use and real estate lies with existing human functions, not replaced by AI, but enhanced by it.
While AI’s ability to aggregate and analyze vast amounts of data is unparalleled, human analysis is required to interpret and apply that information effectively. But most importantly, AI simply cannot replace the human element in understanding the lived experiences of city residents. Every day city planners and decision-makers engage with communities directly to address their needs and aspirations. It is these human interactions and intricacies that are crucial for creating urban spaces that are not only functional but also enriching and reflective of the community’s identity. The nuances of human behavior, preferences, and interactions are best understood by those who experience them daily, making human input vital in creating cities that truly serve its residents. AI can support these efforts by providing data-driven insights, but cannot replace the inherently human nature of land use.
This symbiotic relationship between AI and human input is about leveraging the strengths of both. AI provides efficiency and data-driven insights, while human expertise and experience ensure that these insights are applied in a way that is sensitive to the needs of the community. Together, they create a more sustainable and resilient approach to land use and urban planning. For these reasons, AI and land use are, and will continue to be, a match made in real estate heaven.
Reprinted with permission from the Feb. 6, 2025 edition of “Daily Business Review” © 2025 ALM Global Properties, LLC. All rights reserved. Further duplication without permission is prohibited, contact 877-256-2472 or reprints@alm.com. “