Deal, B (2001) Ecological urban dynamics: The convergence of spatial modelling and sustainability. Building Research & Information, 29(5), pp. 381-393. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
Planning professions have focused their attention on continued technological solutions to environmental problems despite discussions relating to the sustainability of the built human community. However, ecological sustainability involves the identification of ecologically sound alternatives to current practices, not necessarily involving technological intervention. In the urban ecosystem this means the identification of the processes of urban change. New theory, tools, and research methods in ecological systems have the potential to improve the dynamics of change in urban environments. A variety of sophisticated computational and theoretical tools exist for characterizing urban systems at a conceptual level, and for visualizing and understanding these characterizations. The theoretical underpinnings and practical application of the integrated, multi-disciplinary, ecological and engineering approach to modelling urbanland use transformation is presented. A new tool, LEAM (Land use Evolution and Impact Assessment Model), has been developed to provide researchers and professionals to address urban dynamics in greater detail at a variety of scales and interfaces. The conceptual framework of the LEAM model is provided, followed by an application of the model to a 'collar county' in the metro Chicago area. The model can visually examine the dynamic spread of human development in the county and the associated environmental impacts of the urban growth and development patterns.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | ecology; environmental assessment; planning; simulation modelling; sustainability; sustainability indicators; tools; United States; urban development |
| Index terms: | environmental impact, urban environment, land use, urban development, evolution, sustainability indicator, profession, urban growth, dynamics, United States, modelling, environmental assessment, urban dynamics, conceptual framework, transformation, ecology, simulation modelling, impact assessment |
| Subjects: | value management, business, Geography, theoretical framing, environmental science, real estate economics, urban sustainability, analytical methods, systems engineering, sustainability assessment, urban design, institututions, environmental impact |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Project Management, Sustainability, Urban Studies, Business Strategy, Geographical Context, Roles and Professions, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here