Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Changing Role of Optimization in Urban Planning

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Optimization, Simulation, and Control

Part of the book series: Springer Optimization and Its Applications ((SOIA,volume 76))

Abstract

Most world cities are now planned in one way or another. Through the deliberate positioning of activity and transportation facilities, urban authorities hope to ensure the success of their cities in economic, social and environmental terms. Urban planning models are an important tool to help them in this task, and in this chapter, we examine the use of optimization techniques in urban planning modelling. Through a broad review of the field, we highlight the distinction between single-goal urban-environment models and multi-objective land use and transportation models. While it is shown that optimization no longer plays a stand-alone role in land use and transportation modelling, it does contribute to the overall modelling workflow. Furthermore, optimization forms the basis of two niche applications: excess commuting and sketch modelling. This last field holds the most promise for the future, enabling planners to establish minimum resource consumption benchmarks for their city as a means of comparison with other cities and to evaluate the ambition and feasibility of new plans.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    www.isiknowledge.com.

References

  1. Albert R, Barabasi AL (2002) Statistical mechanics of complex networks. Reviews of Modern Physics 74(1):47–97

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  2. Balling R, Lowry M, Saito M (2003) Regional Land Use and Transportation Planning with a Genetic Algorithm. Journal of the Transportation Research Board 1831:210–218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Balling RJ, Taber JT, Brown MR, Day K (1999) Multiobjective Urban Planning Using Genetic Algorithm. Journal of Urban Planning and Development 125(2):86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Barber GM (1976) Land-use plan design via interactive multiple-objective programming. Environment and Planning A 8(6):625–636

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  5. Batty M, Longley P (1994) Fractal cities: a geometry of form and function. Academic Press, London

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  6. Boardman B, Darby S, Killip G, Hinnells M, Jardine C, Palmer J, Sinden G (2005) 40% House. Tech. rep., Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  7. Buliung RN, Kanaroglou PS (2002) Commute minimization in the Greater Toronto Area: applying a modified excess commute. Journal of Transport Geography 10(3):177–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Castillo I, Peters BA (2003) An extended distance-based facility layout problem. International Journal of Production Research 41(11):2451–2479

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  9. Chang J (2006) Models of the Relationship between Transport and Land-use: A Review. Transport Reviews 26(3):325–350

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Crossman ND, Bryan BA, Ostendorf B, Collins S (2007) Systematic landscape restoration in the ruralurban fringe: meeting conservation planning and policy goals. Biodiversity and Conservation 16(13):3781–3802

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Del Carmen Sabatini M, Verdiell A, Rodríguez Iglesias RM, Vidal M (2007) A quantitative method for zoning of protected areas and its spatial ecological implications. Journal of Environmental Management 83(2):198–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Dickey J, Sharpe R (1974) Transportation and urban and regional development impacts. High Speed Ground Transportation Journal 8:71

    Google Scholar 

  13. Feng CM, Lin JJ (1999) Using a genetic algorithm to generate alternative sketch maps for urban planning. Computers, Environment and Urban Systems 23(2):91–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Fisk D, Kerherve J (2006) Complexity as a cause of unsustainability. Ecological Complexity 3(4):336–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Gabriel S, Faria J, Moglen G (2006) A multiobjective optimization approach to smart growth in land development. Socio-Economic Planning Sciences 40(3):212–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Gomez J, Khodr H, De Oliveira P, Ocque L, Yusta J, Villasana R, Urdaneta A (2004) Ant colony system algorithm for the planning of primary distribution circuits. IEEE Transactions on Power Systems 19(2):996–1004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Hamilton B (1982) Wasteful commuting. Journal of Political Economy 90:1035–1053

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Herbert J, Stevens B (1960) A model for the distribution of residential activity in urban areas. Journal of Regional Science 2:21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Horner MW (2002) Extensions to the concept of excess commuting. Environment and Planning A 34(3):543 – 566

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Hunt JD, Kriger DS, Miller EJ (2005) Current operational urban land-use-transport modelling frameworks: A review. Transport Reviews 25(3):329–376

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. IEA (2008) World Energy Outlook. International Energy Agency, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  22. Jiang-Ping W, Qun T (2009) Urban planning decision using multi-objective optimization algorithm. ISECS International Colloquium on Computing, Communication, Control, and Management (pp. 392–394). IEEE. DOI:10.1109/CCCM.2009.5267600

    Google Scholar 

  23. Joss S (2010) Eco-cities: a global survey 2009. Part A: eco-city profiles. URL http://www.westminster.ac.uk/schools/humanities/politics-and-international-relations/governance-and-sustainability/research/ecocities

  24. Keirstead J, Shah N (2011) Calculating minimum energy urban layouts with mathematical programming and Monte Carlo analysis techniques. Computers, Environment and Urban Systems, 35(5), 368–377. DOI:10.1016/j.compenvurbsys.2010.12.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Keirstead J, Samsatli N, Shah N (2010) SynCity: an integrated tool kit for urban energy systems modelling. In: Bose R (ed) Energy Efficient Cities: Assessment Tools and Benchmarking Practices, World Bank, pp 21–42

    Google Scholar 

  26. Kirsch B, Characklis G, Dillard K, Kelley C (2009) More efficient optimization of long-term water supply portfolios. Water Resources Research 45(3):W03,414

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Lagabrielle E, Botta A, Daré W, David D, Aubert S, Fabricius C (2010) Modelling with stakeholders to integrate biodiversity into land-use planning Lessons learned in Réunion Island (Western Indian Ocean). Environmental Modelling & Software 25(11):14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Lahmar M, Benjaafar S (2005) Design of distributed layouts. IIE Transactions 37(4):303–318

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Ligmann-Zielinska A, Jankowski P (2010) Exploring normative scenarios of land use development decisions with an agent-based simulation laboratory. Computers, Environment and Urban Systems 34(5):409–423

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Lin JJ, Feng CM (2003) A bi-level programming model for the land usenetwork design problem. The Annals of Regional Science 37(1):93–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Lin JJ, Gau CC (2006) A TOD planning model to review the regulation of allowable development densities around subway stations. Land Use Policy 23(3):353–360

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Los M (1978) Combined residential location and transportation models. Tech. rep., Centre for Transport Research, University of Montreal, Montreal

    Google Scholar 

  33. Lowry MB, Balling RJ (2009) An approach to land-use and transportation planning that facilitates city and region cooperation. Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design 36(3):487–504

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Ma KR, Banister D (2006) Excess Commuting: A Critical Review. Transport Reviews 26(6):749–767

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Mackett R (1985) Integrated land use-transport models. Transport Reviews 5(4):325–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Masdar City (2010) Welcome to Masdar City. URL http://www.masdarcity.ae/en/index.aspx

  37. Mathey AH, Krcmar E, Dragicevic S, Vertinsky I (2008) An object-oriented cellular automata model for forest planning problems. Ecological Modelling 212(3–4):359–371

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Mejia AI, Moglen GE (2009) Spatial Patterns of Urban Development from Optimization of Flood Peaks and Imperviousness-Based Measures. Journal of Hydrologic Engineering 8(4):1

    Google Scholar 

  39. Morris A (1994) A History of Urban Form: Before the Industrial Revolutions. Longman, Harlow

    Google Scholar 

  40. O’Kelly M, Lee W (2005) Disaggregate journey-to-work data: implications for excess commuting and jobs- housing balance. Environment and Planning A 37(12): 2233–2252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Pacione M (2009) Urban geography: a global perspective, 3rd edn. Routledge, London

    Google Scholar 

  42. Pfaffenbichler P, Shepherd S (2002) A Dynamic Model to Appraise Strategic Land-Use and Transport Policies. European Journal of Transportation and Infrastructure Research 2(3/4):255–283

    Google Scholar 

  43. Reichold L, Zechman EM, Brill ED, Holmes H (2010) Simulation-Optimization Framework to Support Sustainable Watershed Development by Mimicking the Predevelopment Flow Regime. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management 136(3):366–375

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Sadoun B (2008) On the simulation of traffic signals operation. Simulation 84(6):285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Satterthwaite D (2008) Cities’ contribution to global warming: notes on the allocation of greenhouse gas emissions. Environment and Urbanization 20(2):539–549

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  46. Sharpe E, Brotchie J, Ahern P (1975) Evaluation of alternative growth patterns for Melbourne. In: Karlqvist A, Lundqvist L, Snickars F (eds) Dynamic Allocation of Urban Space, Saxon House, p 259

    Google Scholar 

  47. Sharpe R, Marksjö B, Mitchell J, Crawford J (1985) An interactive model for the layout of buildings. Applied Mathematical Modelling 9(3):207–214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Timmermans H (2003) The saga of integrated land use-transport modeling: How many more dreams before we wake up. Keynote paper 10th International Conference on Travel Behaviour Research pp 219–248

    Google Scholar 

  49. Urban TL, Chiang WC, Russell RA (2000) The integrated machine allocation and layout problem. International Journal of Production Research 38(13):2911

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Waddell P (2000) A behavioral simulation model for metropolitan policy analysis and planning: residential location and housing market components of UrbanSim. Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design 27(2):247–263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Wang C, Wu J (2010) Natural amenities, increasing returns and urban development. Journal of Economic Geography, lbq020. DOI:10.1093/jeg/lbq020

    Google Scholar 

  52. Wegener M (2004) Overview of land use transport models. In D. A. Hensher & K. Button (Eds.), Handbook of transport geography and spatial systems. Kidlington: Pergamon, Elsevier Science Ltd pp. 127–146

    Google Scholar 

  53. White MJ (1988) Confirmations and Contradictions: Urban Commuting Journeys Are Not “Wasteful”. The Journal of Political Economy 96(5):1097–1110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. de Wilde S, van Den Dobbelsteen A (2004) Space use optimisation and sustainability - environmental comparison of international cases. Journal of Environmental Management 73(2):91–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Williams HP (1999) Model Building in Mathematical Programming, 4th edn. Wiley, Chichester

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  56. Yu B, Yang Z, Cheng C (2007) Optimizing the distribution of shopping centers with parallel genetic algorithm. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence 20(2):215–223

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, London, UK

    James Keirstead

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, Centre for Process Systems Engineering, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, London, UK

    Nilay Shah

Authors
  1. James Keirstead
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nilay Shah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nilay Shah .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Institute of Mathematics, National University of Mongolia, University Street 1, Ulaanbaatar, 210646, Erdenet, Mongolia

    Altannar Chinchuluun

  2. , Department of Industrial & Systems Engin, University of Florida, Weil Hall 401, Gainesville, 32611, Florida, USA

    Panos M. Pardalos

  3. The School of Economic Studies, Dept.of Mathematics & Computer Science, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, 210646, Mongolia

    Rentsen Enkhbat

  4. , Centre for Process Systems Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom

    E. N. Pistikopoulos

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Keirstead, J., Shah, N. (2013). The Changing Role of Optimization in Urban Planning. In: Chinchuluun, A., Pardalos, P., Enkhbat, R., Pistikopoulos, E. (eds) Optimization, Simulation, and Control. Springer Optimization and Its Applications, vol 76. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5131-0_11

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation