Track: Environmental Management
GIS Modeling for Land Use Optimization: A Case Study and Discussion of Methods
James KuiperMany land managers and natural resource planners have access to GIS for use in managing their properties. Typically, the GIS is used to access and visually interpret site-specific data that represent benefits or constraints for an activity or project. However, because there are often many complex variables influencing the decision making process, visual analysis alone is not sufficient to adequately evaluate decision alternatives. This paper presents a systematic approach to use GIS capabilities in a more rigorous manner for making land management decisions. This approach includes three components: (1) problem conceptualization, (2) development and implementation of a practical GIS-based model for decision making, and (3) alternative evaluation. A case study is also presented. In the study, potential environmental, land use, and regulatory parameters were modeled to examine constraints of a federal facility larger than 100 square miles to support future growth and development for several hypothetical missions and activities.
James Kuiper
Argonne National Laboratory
9700 S. Cass Avenue
Argonne, IL 60439-4832
USA
Telephone: 630-252-6206
Fax: 630-252-6414
E-mail: kuiperj@anl.gov