A development constraints analysis provides a general picture of the suitability of land for residential development at a municipal or regional scale. The resulting mapped and numeric data can be used to guide land use planning and decision-making.

The first step in conducting a development constraints analysis is compiling a list of factors that restrict future development within the study area. Once the list of constraint factors has been developed, weights need to be assigned to each. After the factors have been selected and weighted, conducting the analysis is a fairly simple process with the use of GIS software. There is a separate data layer for each factor. The layers are laid over each other, combined and the weights totaled.

Explore the resources below for guidance on conducting a development constraints analysis and examples of analyses completed for municipalities as part of the Northwest Project.

• Duxbury Development Constraint Analysis Map and Weights. (4.6 mb)

• East Montpelier Development Constraint Analysis Map and Weights. (1.0 mb)

• Middlesex Development Constraint Analysis Map and Weights. (3.6 mb)

• Montpelier Development Constraint Analysis Map and Weights. (744 kb)

• Moretown Development Constraint Analysis Map and Weights. (1.7 mb)