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Integrated environmental index for application in land-use zoning

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Abstract

This paper describes the development of an integrated environmental index that may serve as a representation of the general environmental quality at a certain location. This index is meant to be used by local administrators to strike a balance between the development of industrial activities and the protection of sensitive land-uses (housing). The approach used to arrive at this index, based on health considerations, is described, detailing the different steps in the construction of the index: identification, assessment, summation, valuation and aggregation. The index combines environmental quality information concerning noise, odor, air pollution, and risk of industrial calamities. The resulting integrated environmental index is illustrated using data of a pilot project.

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Sol, V.M., Lammers, P.E.M., Aiking, H. et al. Integrated environmental index for application in land-use zoning. Environmental Management 19, 457–467 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02471986

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