Land Use

The region consists of 29 percent urbanized area, concentrated in a band along the east coast, 47 percent conservation area, most of which is the Everglades swampland, and 24 percent agriculture, which provides environmental support for the Everglades ecosystem and economic support for one of Florida's oldest industries. While the conservation and agricultural lands in the western part of the region are crucial to the ecosystem, the pressure of population growth has led to significant westward expansion of urban areas, in low-density suburban communities. With a growing population and dwindling supply of land, it is difficult to support affordable housing while also maintaining the beautiful natural environment that makes South Florida such a desirable place to live and is critically linked to the water supply that sustains the population.