A GIS-Based Decision Tool for Sustainable Residential Development

As cities grow, new locations are sought for residential development and the community centers that hold them together. Such growth pressures trigger a potential conflict between the desire to maintain the pre-existing environmental quality and lifestyle and the desire to accommodate development and enjoy the subsequent economic benefits. Located along Interstate 44, and close to the suburban extent of the Saint Louis metropolitan area, the City of Pacific, MO is beginning to experience economic growth as well as demands for its land for commuting residents. A community organization in and around Pacific, the Magi Foundation, is working to bring the community together to investigate alternate mechanisms to support sustainable development—that balance between economic growth and maintaining the environment. Researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia, are partnering with Pacific and the larger community and have created a methodology to develop information that can be used in the decision-making process associated with managing growth. The methodology balances sound engineering evaluations while preserving ecological considerations, and is focused on the management of storm water runoff as a major intersection of development impacts and environmental attributes. Physical, biological, cultural, and management attributes are taken into account as parameters in the decision process. Physical attributes include topography, hydrology, and soils of the area with existing surface condition through a land use/land cover map. Biological attributes include vegetation and wildlife of the area. Cultural attributes include existing infrastructure, legal boundaries, and important landmarks and historic sites. Management attributes includes options for municipal ordinances as well as engineering alternatives such as best management practices (BMPs). A geographic information system (GIS) provides the integration between initial site inventories, decision parameters, and decision processes in providing alternatives for residential development. These decision processes utilize a multi-attribute utility function as an embedded process in the GIS. Key parameters are evaluated based on their utility for human, vegetative, wildlife, and water resources protection and enhancement. A watershed-based storm water management system will be evaluated as part of the subsequent testing of the methodology. The LaBarque Creek watershed in the vicinity of Pacific is considered by the Missouri Department of Conservation to be in pristine condition. Thus, development will have long-term consequences on environmental quality. LaBarque Creek thus presents an opportunity to test a comprehensive analysis methodology in an effort to balance natural resource preservation and development impacts.