There are several reasons for increasing demand for land, including population growth, demand for housing and industries, and development of transportation networks. However, the supply of usable land is limited as much of the Earth's surface is not suitable for development. In response, governments can increase land supply through various means such as land clearance, land reclamation, and maximizing use of existing lands. They can also increase land prices and encourage conservation to manage the rising demand for land.

1. Chapter 7 Land Supply
Reasons for land constraint
Reasons demand for land
o Population growth
 Due to the rapid population growth in the last few years, more land is
needed for human activities.
o Increasing demand for housing
 A growing population will lead to an increase in demand for housing.
o Growth of industries
 The need to provide jobs for a growing population is an important
concern.
o Development of transport system
 As a country develops, more roads and railways have to be built.
 A good transport network is important for the movement of goods and
raw materials, as well as to enable workers to travel between their
homes and workplace
 E.g. In some cities, over 20% of the total land area is set aside for the
transport facilities such as roads, railways, and car parks
o Increasing demand for arable land
 To produce food to feed their increasing populations, countries have to
look for more arable land.
o Increasing demand for recreational spaces
 With more people, more recreational spaces will have to be provided.
 E.g. swimming pool, public golf courses, theatres, parks and nature
reserves
P-T.H.R.I.F.
Limited supply of land
o Though land makes up 30% of the Earth’s surfaces, not all are usable.
o Swamps, marshes and low-lying coastal areas are not usable.
o Other uses of land are needed
 E.g. water catchment areas, military purposes
Responses to rising demand for land
Increasing the price of land
o Due to more users willing to pay a higher price for the available land,
hence pushing up the price of the land.
o Discourages some people from using the land, reducing demand.

2. Increasing the supply of land
o Land Clearance
 Increase the amount of land available for development
Demolishing old buildings or through deforestation
May have a negative impact on the environment
o E.g. Deforestation cause many plants and animals to
die or become extinct →affecting food chain
o Land reclamation
 Landfill
Creating dry land from swampy areas, marshes and shallow
parts of the sea.
These areas are drained and filled with material like sand to
from dry land.
o E.g. Singapore Boat Quay and Marina Bay Area
 Empoldering
A method of reclaiming land from sea
Though Empoldering is usually carried out in low-lying
coastal areas, it can also be applied to areas that are further
inland.
 Reclaiming derelict land
Usually caused by natural disasters, forest fires or human
activities
o Improper farming activities
 Fertility of arable land may be lost due to
improper farming practice.
o Mining Activities
 Mineral ores, vegetation and soil have to be
removed
 Heaps of mining wastes are left behind deep
holes cause by mining, causing poisonous
substance to contaminate the soil.
Maximizing use of existing land
o Maximizing urban land use
o Mixed land use
High Density Building
Maximizing Agricultural land use
Terracing
Soil-less farming
Conserving Land
o As a country develops, demand for land increases for industries and housing and other
facilities.
o A country’s forests and other nature features should be protected