Smart Places: A Tool for Design and
Evaluation of Land Use Scenarios
Croteau, Keith G. , Brenda G. Faber,
and Vernon L. Thomas
Abstract
SMART PLACES is a resource modeling system which allows novice and advanced users to interactively design and evaluate land use alternatives. Land use scenarios are produced via interactive digitizing and incorporation of existing data layers. Several scenarios can be stored and then retrieved during the planning process, facilitating comparison among multiple land use options. Scenario evaluation is conducted using empirical models which are linked to the geographic database. Evaluation results are generated in graphic and text file format and may be included in pre-formatted SMART PLACES reports.
SMART PLACES has been successfully applied
in projects involving community zoning, resource management, and
sustainable development. This paper will describe SMART
PLACES functional capabilities and design.
Introduction
The opening of Denver International Airport in February of 1995 presented the City of Denver, Colorado with a unique opportunity. The nearly five thousand acres that had comprised Denver's former airport (Stapleton) became available for re-development. A coalition of planners and investors decided that the site should be occupied with a diverse community showcasing efficient use of resources and improved integration of commercial, residential and natural areas. While these goals were generally accepted by citizens, planners, and investors, there were conflicting ideas on exactly how the land should be developed.
The Stapleton Redevelopment Foundation (SRF) was formed to consider the array of development ideas and to define a final comprehensive land use plan. SRF had access to two important resources: (1) planning expertise; and (2) use of an extensive GIS database covering the Stapleton site. However, SRF lacked a cohesive system which could utilize both its planning expertise and GIS data in assessing multiple land use scenarios. Specifically SRF required an architecture which supported efficient creation, modification, and comparison of alternative land use plans in terms of cost, land use balance, water use, solid waste and waste water generation, transportation, and energy consumption.
This need inspired the non-profit Denver
Smart Places Project and resulted in the creation of a GIS-based
land-use decision support system called SMART PLACES.
System Architecture
SMART PLACES is an ArcView extension
focusing on land use decision support. It was developed by the
Consortium for International Earth Science Information Network
(CIESIN; Saginaw, MI). It
utilizes the geo-processing and data manipulation capabilities
of Esri's ArcView GIS and CIESIN's AR/GIS (Active Response GIS)
software. However, Smart Places adds a highly customized layer
of functionality which is specific to land use planning and resource
modeling (Figure 1).
The system provides data structures, user interface components, and output mechanisms
which effectively connect empirical analysis models to standard
GIS data layers. This connection allows planners to immediately
analyze suggested changes in a land use plan and to produce text
reports and graphics which summarize the impacts of such changes.
The SMART PLACES layer supports two primary functions: (1) land
use scenario design, and (2) land use scenario evaluation. Both
functions are available through a single interface, allowing the
user to interactively create or alter a land use design and then
immediately evaluate the effects of the modifications.
Figure 2 depicts the primary SMART PLACES interface. The left window (Scenario Buider) supports land use design, while the right window (Radix Evaluation Selection) provides access to an array of evaluation models. Both components support maximum flexibility in the design and evaluation process. The Scenario Builder enhances native ArcView functionality and allows users to build land use scenarios using existing GIS data layers and interactive digitizing. The Radix Evaluation Selection view allows users to add and remove models from the model selection interface, or "RADIX". This "split screen" interface promotes efficient iteration between scenario design and evaluation, helping the user produce a set of land use alternatives for review.
While Smart Places was initially developed
for use at the Stapleton site, it is essentially an open framework
that can be populated by different geographic data and analysis
models. It is therefore portable to other locations with unique
management concerns.
Core Functionality
SMART PLACES facilitates land use planning and augments the traditional GIS by providing these advanced capabilities (Figure 3):
These capabilities are described in
greater detail below.
Selectable User Levels:
SMART PLACES supports five distinct
user levels ranging from the complete novice to the software development
expert. Thus, the system approachable and useful to new users,
while still providing access to the full range of ArcView's geo-processing
and data-processing routines. For example, the 'New User' interface
for the design window or "Scenario Builder" consists
of only four customized menus and contains no standard ArcView
menus, buttons, or tools. The 'New User' interface does allow
exploration and even alteration of data in the Scenario Builder.
However, only those data layers designated as "editable"
by a SMART PLACES developer can be modified. By contrast, the
'Developer' interface incorporates all ArcView and SMART PLACES
functionality and requires password authentication for entry.
This multiple user-level design allows new users to design and
test alternative land use scenarios, while affording protection
to key components of the GIS database.
Automatic Calculation of Attribute Values:
Interchangeable and customizable formulae are used to automatically calculate attribute values for newly added or edited features. This allows the planner to concentrate on the spatial layout of the land use design, while insuring that the appropriate tabular data are calculated and stored. A current and accurate database must be maintained to support the efficient iteration between scenario design and evaluation. An up-to-date database will insure that results produced by analysis models are correct.
For example, a designer might add a new residential area to the current land use plan and specify its intended population density. Using the population estimate in conjunction with conversion factors provided by experts, estimates of water and energy consumption are automatically calculated and placed in the GIS database. These new data are immediately accessible to Smart Places resource analysis models. In this way, the user can immediately see the ramifications of alterations in the community design.
The formulae used to calculate attributes can include simple conversion factors or complex modeling procedures. The SMART PLACES open architecture allows users to review and change formulae definitions at any time. Thus the architecture is adaptable to different study areas. For example, water use per capita may vary widely dependingon geographic location or seasonal variation. To accurately reflect these differences a new conversion factor (gallons/person/day) can be installed, yielding more accurate estimates of water use.
Because formulae substitutions can result
in different evaluation results for the sameland use plan, these
changes should be well documented. SMART PLACES automatically
records all conversion formulae changes in an easily accessible
text file. It is important that a planner have both the evaluation
results and the assumptions upon which results are based in order
to make informed decisions regarding the land use design.
Automatic Constraint Compliance Checking.
Planners often must consider development ordinances such as zoning, limits on dwelling unit density, and construction codes. Often, several regulations need to be considered simultaneously. SMART PLACES can assist the planner by issuing a warning whenever such constraints are breached.
The Smart Places framework can accommodate both numeric compliance checking (e.g. exceeding specified population densities), or geographic compliance checking (e.g. placing commercial buildings containing hazardous materials within a known flood plain). This functionality can save valuable time by informing the planner of design inadequacies early in the planning process. As with other SMART PLACES functions, the compliance checking structure is open and editable. Numeric targets and spatial restrictions can be modified by the user to reflect changes in local planning regulations or to address restrictions at a different location.
Figure 4 shows
how compliance checking works in concert with scenario modification
and automatic attribute calculation to facilitate the design process
and insure accurate evaluation results.
Scenario Storage and Retrieval:
SMART PLACES allows users to save and retrieve entire land use designs. This functionality is important for three reasons: (1) multiple users can work on unique land use scenarios without affecting the designs of others; (2) a single user can create several alternative scenarios; (3) several scenarios can be retrieved for simultaneous evaluation and comparison, helping planners make informed decisions regarding which scenario best fits site requirements.
SMART PLACES handles all file management
and stores all data necessary to recreate an exact replica of
the saved scenario. It is important to note that design edits
affect only the "working" scenario and that saved scenarios
are protected from potential mishaps during the design process.
Configurable Links to Empirical Resource Analysis Models:
Scenario assessment is performed by launching analysis models using the RADIX hierarchical selection tool (Figure 2). The center circle represents the land use design itself. Analyses are grouped into categories, represented by circles in the inner ring. Each circle in the outer ring is connected to an analysis model for use in scenario evaluation.
SMART PLACES can link to models written in Avenue (ArcView's native development language) or other programming languages such as C++ and Visual Basic. Analysis models typically perform one or more of these primary actions: (1) process spatial and tabular data associated with themes in the Scenario Builder; (2) process external databases and perform lookup operations on external tables; (3) link to autonomous external models. In the Denver (Stapleton) Smart Places project, links were established with an emissions prediction model called PROFORMA (Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA). This connection allowed immediate evaluation of land use scenarios in terms of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and sulfurous gas emissions.
Evaluation models are selected by clicking on the associated RADIX circle. After selecting one or more models, the user clicks on the "EVALUATE" button. The system's internal architecture then handles launching of selected models, error status checking, and results compilation. Results are produced in both text and graphic format.
The RADIX structure conforms to the
SMART PLACES open architecture and is completely customizable.
Additional analysis models can be connected and are immediately
accessible through a new circle in the RADIX outer ring. In addition,
RADIX has its own information management structure allowing efficient
entry and retrieval of documentation pertaining to analysis models.
Automatic Report Generation and Results Visualization:
Evaluation results are automatically presented in text file format once model execution is complete. The text file (Figure 5) contains both a summary table and a "details" section where results, user defined target values, and the model name are listed. In addition, SMART PLACES is equipped with a results visualization architecture which allows users to easily display evaluation results in graphic format, including charts, graphs, and 3-dimensional plots (Figure 6). Visualization modules are interchangeable so that results can be viewed in alternative formats.
Finally, SMART PLACES provides mechanisms
for automatic scenario report generation and printing. A scenario
report may contain evaluation results (text and graphic format),
attribute calculation formulae, narrative notes about the scenario,
and a map of the scenario itself. These reports are pre-formatted
for rapid assimilation and can be printed at any time.
Smart Places Projects
The SMART PLACES land use decision support system has been officially adopted as a primary planning tool by the Stapleton Development Corporation (successor to the SRF) and the City of Denver. During the next several years it will be used for planning, evaluating, and monitoring the progress of Stapleton from vacant land to a sustainable and livable community.
Because it was developed as generic
planning tool, SMART PLACES is now portable to new sites with
new challenges. The system is currently under review by the cities
of of Boulder, Colorado; Frisco, Colorado; and Detroit, Michigan
for use in community planning and zoning projects. The Arapahoe-Roosevelt
National Forest is considering SMART PLACES technology as a decision
aid for its fire planning and suppression efforts. At the national
level, the Electric Power Research Institute (an original SMART
PLACES investor) is testing SMART PLACES as a system for evaluating
the energy requirements of communities across the United States.
The Future of Smart Places
Development efforts will focus on expanding
the range of planning tools available in the Smart Places system.
Two enhancements currently under development are:
Multi-User Collaborative Version:
Because Smart Places is built on CIESIN's AR/GIS software it can be linked to AR/GIS group negotiation tools and can assist resource management teams in debating land issues, defining project objectives, collaboratively constructing geographic alternatives, and jointly considering risks and impacts.
The AR/GIS group negotiation suite encourages
decision making teams to take full advantage of the broad collective
experience and expertise inherent in diverse teams, while facilitating
effective group interaction. The value of using the group negotiation
capabilities of AR/GIS is generally three-fold: 1) use of the
system increases individual comprehension and ownership of the
decision making process, 2) use of the system can assist in balancing
the perspectives and opinions of all participants and 3) use of
the system increases the efficiency and effectiveness of group
debate.
Internet Map Server Compatibility:
CIESIN is currently evaluating Esri's
Internet Map Server (IMS) as a platform for development of an
internet version of SMART PLACES.
Acknowledgments:
Funding and support for SMART PLACES
development was provided by a partnership of public and private
entities. These include: BRW
California Energy Commission
City and County of Denver
Colorado Governorís Office of Energy Conservation
Colorado Public Utilities Commission
Consortium for International Earth Science
Information Network (CIESIN)
Cymbiotics
Denver Regional Council of Governments
Denver Regional Transportation District
Denver Water Board
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
Environmental Defense Fund
Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri)
KOA Radio 850/Jacor
Mosaic Management Group
OP Graphics
Public Service Company of Colorado
Science Applications International Corporation
Stapleton Development Corporation
Stapleton Redevelopment Foundation
U.S. Department of Energy Center of Excellence for Sustainable
Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region VIII
University of Colorado
University of Denver
Urban Consortium Energy Task Force
US West Communications
References
Croteau, Keith G. and Dave Skiles, "GIS Helps Plan the Future of Denver's Former Stapleton Airport", GIS World. 1997 (in publication).
Faber, Brenda G., "Active Response GIS: An Architecture for Interactive Resource Modeling," Proceedings of the GIS'97 Annual Symposium on Geographic Information Systems. Vancouver, B.C., GIS World, Inc. (March 1997): 296-301.
Stapleton Redevelopment Foundation,
City and County of Denver, and Citizens Advisory Board. 1995.
Stapleton Redevelopment Plan.
Authors
Croteau, Keith G.
Systems Developer
CIESIN
PO Box 2027
Fort Collins, CO 80522-2027
(970) 490-8393
(970) 490-8399 FAX
email: kcroteau@ciesin.colostate.edu
Faber, Brenda G.
Senior Research Analyst
CIESIN
email: bfaber@ciesin.colostate.edu
Thomas, Vernon L.
Information Analyst
CIESIN
email: vthomas@ciesin.colostate.edu
