UrbanSim Zone Model

For more on the data schema required for the UrbanSim zone model see here.

Household Models

In the zone level UrbanSim application, households are associated with aggregated residential buildings within a zone, of single-family or multi-family type, and of rent or own status. From one year to the next, households choose whether to move or stay in their current residence, and if they choose to move, they make a location choice from the available (vacant) housing units. Factors such as housing prices and rents, accessibility, and local neighborhood composition all influence location choices of households of different incomes, sizes, and stages of life cycle.

Employment Models

Jobs are associated with zone locations. From one year to the next, jobs choose whether to move or stay in their current location, and if they choose to move, they make a location choice from the available zones that have remaining capacity for jobs. Job capacity is calculated by dividing non-residential space by space per job assumptions. Factors such as accessibility to jobs and population, and local employment composition all influence location choices of jobs of different industry sectors.

Real Estate Models

Buildings are associated with zone locations. From one year to the next, residential units and non-residential space are added to zones based on vacancy rates by building type, and the location of added units/space is based on factors such as accessibility, prices, rents, and other local factors, subject to development constraints imposed by local jurisdictions.

For more information on UrbanSim see here.