COMPUTER-BASED LAND USE SUITABILITY MAPS

A computer-based method for generating land use suitability evaluations for urbanizing areas is presented. These evaluations are based on an analysis of the physical characteristics of land, such as topography, soil class, soil drainage, flood hazard, and depth to bedrock. This method allows a great deal of flexibility in analysis and provides the ability to look at land use suitability from a variety of viewpoints or development policies. The use of this computer-based system to prepare residential land use suitability maps for a 59.5-km² (23.0-sq mile) area containing 5,950-ha (2.47-acre) data cells is illustrated. Such a method could be a powerful planning tool when used in conjunction with an evaluation of the other social, economic, political, and environmental factors that shape the patterns of urban development.