A method for reallotment research in land development projects in The Netherlands

Abstract This paper describes a method developed for use in reallotment research during the preparatory phase of a land development project. The method aims to reduce the mean lot-distance and to concentrate lots. Various boundary conditions can be introduced. Exchange classes are formed if the land within the project is not fully exchangeable. In the reallotment calculation the stepping-stone algorithm is used to minimize the mean lot-distance and to limit the number of lots allocated. The reallotment calculation is done separately from each exchange class. The method uses alphanumeric data on holdings and lots and digitized data on the locations of farm buildings and sectors and of the road network. All these data are obtained from the Land Division Survey, which collects socioeconomic and technical information on the holdings and lots for every land development project. The method is fully automated and is currently being applied in all land development projects in The Netherlands.