PHRC Report #28: A Residential Land Development Model (Phase I of a Continuing Study Concerning the Land Development Process)
Date: August 1994
Author(s): C. McIntyre, M. K. Parfitt, J. H. Willenbrock
BACKGROUND:
During the May 1993 meeting of the Advisory Council to the Pennsylvania Housing Research Center, a proposal for funding an infrastructure related project was presented to the Advisory Council. During their deliberations, the Advisory Council confirmed the significance and need for development of a model which accurately defines the residential land development process. In conjunction with the model, the question of how CAD systems could be used to streamline the land development process must be addressed.
The Advisory Council felt that such a dual effort was important because of the potential benefits that both parts of the research would have on:
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Further understanding the complexities and interactions involved in the land development process. |
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Enhancing the quality (i.e. accuracy) of the design drawings. |
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Improving methods of the exchange of information between project designers, project reviewers, and regulatory officials at various stages in the land development process. |
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Reducing the time and cost allocated to the land development process. |
SUMMARY OF RESULTS:
This project represents a two-year research effort involving a comprehensive review and analysis of the of the residential land development process including an emphasis on CAD applications within the overall land development process.
The first year of the study, which is documented in PHRC Research Series Report No. 28, examined the overall residential land development process. The results of this study:
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Document the findings of an extensive literature review which examined appropriate background information concerning the residential land development process. |
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Formulate a residential land development model which reflects the land development process as practiced by developers, designers, review officials, and contractors. |
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Document the future trends regarding computerized technologies within the land development industry. |
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Provide a detailed outline of the scope and deliverables for the second year of this research project. |
WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU:
Formulating the land development model is the first step toward identifying and accurately defining the residential subdivision process. This model, by itself, will constitute a valuable contribution to the members of NAHB that are involved on the land development process. The development of this comprehensive model is the key to understanding the processes involved. With this understanding, areas within the model can be identified as the application points where CAD-based systems could be used to possibly expedite the process and improve the quality and accuracy of the drawings. The model will then be verified by the Industry Consultant Committee of this project. Their input and ideas will assure that the model accurately reflects current design practice. In addition, their comments will provide a practical base upon which to develop CAD-based techniques for tracking and interpreting drawing information.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The second year of this proposed research effort will focus on practical strategies and methods of employing CAD-based technologies to the residential land development process, as documented in this report. The proposed research for the second year is divided into two phases. Phase I involves the development of CAD-based methods and design strategies which could be used by the development team during the design and review phases of the land development process. Phase III will apply these strategies and methods to an actual case study subdivision as it proceeds through the various stages of design and review. The results will be documented in a future PHRC Research Series Report.
The ultimate objective in this scenario is to develop practical methods and techniques for using CAD-based systems that will aid both project designers and the review officials of various regulatory agencies. It is anticipated that these techniques will provide an efficient means of transferring project information which could reduce the amount of time and resources that are currently allocated to the residential land development process, thus ultimately providing more affordable housing.