Multicriteria Analysis for Land-use Suitability Assessment

The Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning created a model that identifies and assesses the spatial pattern of existing development and suitability for urban expansion in the Santa Clarita Valley. This region in northwestern Los Angeles County is experiencing intense development pressure because of its desirable rural character, the availability of undeveloped land, and its proximity to freeways and the cities of Santa Clarita and Los Angeles.

The objective of the model was to minimize negative environmental impact by directing development into areas with maximum suitability for urbanization. The model’s structure provides an efficient means for producing suitability maps for urbanization based on complex criteria. Planners who use the model can quickly compare different scenarios, which greatly enhances their ability to make informed decisions regarding the effects of development. It also holds the potential to foster negotiation among stakeholders based on their objectives and development constraints, making it an excellent tool for promoting democratic decision making in regional planning.

Courtesy of Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, 2007 and the Los Angeles Region Imagery Acquisition Consortium (LAR-IAC), 2007.