Evaluation of alternative growth patterns in urban systems

doi:10.1016/0305-0548(74)90057-4

Computers & Operations Research

Volume 1, Issues 3–4, December 1974, Pages 345-362

https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-0548(74)90057-4 Get rights and content

Abstract

The paper describes the formulation of the general planning model, TOPAZ (Technique for the Optimum Placement of Activities into Zones) and its application to evaluating and optimizing alternative growth patterns in urban systems.

TOPAZ identifies an urban system as a set of interacting activities to be allocated to a set of zones to maximize an objective of overall benefit less cost of interaction between activities together with the benefit less cost of establishment of the activities, over a set of time periods. The model takes the form of a non-linear assignment problem with linear constraints, and is solved using iterative linear programming.

The model is illustrated by application at a macro level to the evaluation of alternative corridor growth patterns for the city of Melbourne (population 2.4 million) over three time periods, 1970–80–90–2000. Two activities are involved, residential and employment activity, and the interactions consist of work, residential, industrial and commercial trips. The city is divided into forty zones.

References (15)

J.F. Brotchie et al.
A model for integrated building design
Building Sci.
(1971)
J.W. Dickey et al.
Campus building arrangement using TOPAZ
Transpn. Res.
(1972)
J.F. Brotchie
A general planning model
Mgmt Sci.
(1969)
J.F. Brotchie et al.
On an urban planning model
J.F. Brotchie et al.
A model for national development
Mgmt Sci.
(1971)
J. F. Brotchie, R. Sharpe and P. Ahern, Structure of the city system—a working model, Proc. Ecol. Soc. Australia, (in...
R. Sharpe et al.
An urban systems study
Roy. Aust. Planning Inst. Jl
(1972)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (4)

Operational research in urban planning
1981, Omega
Some of the characteristics which distinguish social planning from planning in the private sector, or in publicly owned industry, are identified. A survey of OR investigations (both tactical and strategic) in the area of urban planning supports the case that the mainstream OR contribution does violence to the nature of the system under study. In particular, problems are formulated in terms of (or transformed into) single objectives, to be optimized; aspects of the social world are subject to wholesale quantification, with resulting distortion; models make implausible data demands; project definition and execution reinforce the ‘scientisation’ of political debate; problems are formulated on the assumption of a single hierarchically powerful decision-maker; and problems are formulated as if they must be solved in toto at one point in time. It is suggested that we should look to the converse of these qualities for new directions in the application of operational research in urban planning. Some examples are given of techniques and approaches which exhibit these alternative characteristics.
The effect of urban form on transport energy patterns
1978, Urban Ecology
Traffic is responsible for approximately 30% of the energy consumption (and hence heat release) in an urban area. The energy consumption pattern is highly concentrated at or near the centre, falling away sharply towards the perimeter, and is a major contributor to the urban heat island.
Present trends indicate that traffic generation and congestion and hence energy consumption will increase in our large urban centres unless drastic measures are implemented or events such as oil resource depletion or environmental constraints curtail such growth.
In order that future urban climate and pollution changes can be studied, it is important to project future transport energy consumption patterns under various development scenarios. Such studies have been undertaken using the TOPAZ urban planning model by the addition of transport energy consumption and pollution sub-models. These studies compare energy consumption patterns for Melbourne at 1976 (population 2.6 million) and 2000 under scenarios such as:
- •
  -present trends with population extremes of zero population growth and 4.0 million
- •
  -low density fringe development
- •
  -high density redevelopment
- •
  -satellite development
- •
  -directional development
- •
  -increased petroleum prices
- •
  -free public transport
Integrated urban models volume 2: New research and applications of optimization and dynamics
2014, Integrated Urban Models Volume 2: New Research and Applications of Optimization and Dynamics
Urban systems (routledge revivals): Contemporary approaches to modelling
2013, Urban Systems (Routledge Revivals): Contemporary Approaches to Modelling

^☆: Paper presented at Computers and Operations Research Symposium, 20–21August 1973

^∗: Ron Sharpe is currently a Senior Research Scientist at CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Organization, Australia). He holds the degrees of B.E. (Civil) and M.Eng.Sc. from Melbourne University, and the Ph.D. from Southampton University.

^†: John F. Brotchie is a Senior Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO where he is concerned with optimal design and planning techniques and the systems approach to urban problems. He holds the civil engineering degree from Melbourne University and the D.Eng. degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

^§: Pat A. Ahern graduated in civil engineering at Melbourne University and worked as a design engineer before joining CSIRO. He is currently studying for his Master's degree at the University of Toronto.

^¶: Zohn W. Dickey, Center for Urban and Regional Studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He holds the civil engineering degree from Lehigh University and a doctorate from Northwestern University.

View full text

Evaluation of alternative growth patterns in urban systems☆

Abstract

Building Sci.

Transpn. Res.

A general planning model

Mgmt Sci.

On an urban planning model

A model for national development

Mgmt Sci.

An urban systems study

Roy. Aust. Planning Inst. Jl