The purpose of this research was to use the EMPIRIC
Land Use Forecasting Model to investigate urban development
planning strategies. These investigations required
two applications, the first dealing with the selection of
certain regional plans describing the use of transportation,
zoning, open space, utilities, etc., and the subsequent
determination of subregional land use values for
the forecast period. The second application dealt with
the selection of a regional transportation (travel time)
improvement plan that would induce growth in subregional
land use variables that would bring their intensities as
close to a priori goals as possible. The EMPIRIC Land
Use Forecasting Model was used because it appeared to be
the most reliable land use prediction model available.
The first objective was accomplished by the solution
of simultaneous linear equations, with nine equations for
each of the three traffic zones. It was determined that
the EMPIRIC Model did determine the future subregional
land use variables with a high degree of reliability.
Goal programming was used to accomplish the second
objective, and through a series of manipulations, a linear
program was developed that would determine future transportation
plans if realistic subregional land use variables
were selected as goals.
It can be said that the EMPIRIC Land Use Forecasting
Model is a definite aid in the urban planning process,
and from its use, plans for a city's future can be formulated
that will include simultaneous changes in both land
use and transportation facilities.
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