Selected Methods of Planning Analysis

This textbook introduces fundamental methods related to planning assessment and impact analysis, which aid planners in answering the following crucial questions:

· Who are the people living here? (demographic analysis);

· In what activities are people involved? (economic analysis);

· Where in the region do these activities occur? (land use analysis);

· How are people and their various human activities connected spatially? (transportation analysis).

Planners face a large variety of analytical tasks, requiring a wide range of skills, and they not only need to consider the question of how, they also have to know where and when to apply the appropriate methods. As such, the book includes a set of exercises and questions at the end of each chapter to address this need. It offers undergraduate and graduate students insights into the limitations, constraints and assumptions embedded in the selected analytical methods to help them make an informed selection. It is also an invaluable reference resource for planning professionals. This is the 2nd edition of Research Methods in Urban and Regional Planning (2007). In this revision, some chapters are significantly revised and replace Chapter 5 on input output analysis with a new chapter on financial analysis.

Provides a detailed introduction and comprehensive description of five analytical research methods in the context of planning: i) demographic analysis, ii) economic analysis, iii) financial analysis, iv) land use analysis, and v) transportation analysis Demonstrates applications of the planning research methods in suitability- and impact analysis Illustrates the often difficult process of gathering the right data and understanding limitations embedded in data Describes the process of effectively presenting analysis results with geographic information systems

Autorentext

Dr. Wang is a Professor of Planning in the School of Planning, University of Cincinnati. He holds a Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Community Planning from the University of Rhode Island, a Master of Science in Geo-Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Geography from Peking University, Beijing, China. He teaches courses in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), environmental planning, statistics, and planning research methods. His research interests are in the areas of environmental planning and GIS application in planning.

Dr. vom Hofe is an Professor of Economic Development in the School of Planning at the University of Cincinnati. He received his Ph.D. and his Masters in Regional Science from Cornell University. Additionally, Dr. vom Hofe holds a Diplom Ingenieur (FH) in Agriculture from the Fachhochschule Weihenstephan, Germany. His teaching includes courses in economic development,policy analysis for regional development, statistics, planning methods, and public finance. His research is devoted to the applicability of quantitative methods in planning, particularly for economic analysis.

Inhalt

Introduction: Planning Research Methods.- Demographic Analysis.- Economic Analysis.- Financial Analysis.- Land Use Analysis.- Transportation Analysis.