Research by the Department of Architecture and the Department of Land Economy has resulted in the development of an internationally unique methodology for modelling the inter-dependencies between jobs, housing, travel, trade, infrastructure and urban design.
Previously, models representing such inter-dependent and cross-cutting relationships have been challenging to develop and validate, particularly when they are required for convincing decision-makers and the public to make intensely contested, real-world decisions.
The collaboration has produced a new generation of models that have become the analytical backbone of major city region and national development studies. For instance, the new modelling framework has made it possible to develop systematic policy modelling for the UK as a connected series of city regions of 67 million people, and has been used as core evidence to change how jobs, housing and transport interventions are designed and coordinated in UK local areas and city regions.
It has also been used for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region in northern China of 120 million people and, in Chile, a model has been developed to forecast the use of proposed infrastructure in an integrated manner for the $50 billion National Infrastructure Plan 2020-2050.
The research has also resulted in worldwide dissemination, influence and thought leadership as a focal point for bringing together all the leading teams in the field of applied urban modelling.
