UrbanSim Parcel Model

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

Household Models

In the parcel level UrbanSim application, households are attached to buildings within parcels, of any residential or mixed-use building 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 attached to buildings within parcels, of any non-residential or mixed-use building type. Alternatively, employment can be represented in the form of establishments with employees that are associated with buildings within parcels. 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 buildings and parcels that have remaining capacity for jobs. Factors such as accessibility to jobs and population, and local employment composition all influence location choices of jobs of different industry sectors.

Real Estate and Pro Forma Models

Buildings are attached to parcels. From one year to the next, buildings (and the residential units or job spaces inside buildings) are constructed and added to parcels using a pro forma-based real estate development model and price models. Vacancy rates in each submarket (residential building type - tenure combination), and the location of these units 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.