predevelopment

/ˌpriːdɪˈvɛləpmənt/
noun
  1. The period or activities that happen before the main development of something, especially land or a project.
    • Predevelopment costs for the housing complex included soil testing and architectural plans.
    • The city spent two years on predevelopment before breaking ground on the new park.
    • During predevelopment, the team surveyed the land and checked for environmental issues.