THE PITTSBURGH URBAN RENEWAL SIMULATION MODEL

Abstract The model described in this paper has its origin in the work of Ira S. Lowry for the Pittsburgh Region Economic Study. Lowry's pioneering modeling effort was perhaps the first large-scale and relatively complete metropolitan simulation to “go on the air,” and is reviewed in detail elsewhere in this issue. The author of this article, working as a consultant to the Pittsburgh CRP in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh, has supervised the revision of the Lowry model in a number of major respects. A new model predicting the location of basic industry now makes the Lowry model a more complete predictor of urban development. The prediction of residential locational choice on the basis of job location, and of the location of commercial activity on the basis of residential location, has been refined in one sense. This prediction is now incremental and hence depends on previous development. This change makes the model depend upon the pattern of previous development, and renders it more sensiti...