Journal of Urban Planning and Development

Civil engineering projects generally change the visual environment. Complete benefit cost analysis (BCA) should include the visual costs and benefits, which tend to be nonpriced. Methods are available for measuring the physical and psychological aspects of visual impacts. Methods are also available for estimating the monetary value of those impacts for BCA. This paper reviews the visual impact problem and methods for measuring and valuing visual impact. Limitations and biases of BCA are also reviewed.

The Residential Area Cost Analysis Model (RACAM)—a computer model designed to calculate the construction, operation and maintenance costs of alternative residential subdivision designs—is presented. A procedure for preliminary design is described which calculates the present worth and annual cost for domestic sewer, storm sewer, and water distribution systems; gas, power and telephone systems; road, sidewalk and street lighting systems; and park and buffer systems. Results of applying the model to subdivisions proposed in Hamilton, Ontario and Regina, Saskatchewan are presented. The paper concludes that RACAM, in addition to other new modeling procedures, can provide development cost information which can assist in the assessment of proposed residential subdivisions.

California is undergoing massive population growth. Accompanying this growth is a need for affordable housing. Unfortunately, housing costs are still out of reach for many Californians. To these people, the American dream of homeownership is and will always be simply a dream. Even rental costs lie outside the reach of many individuals. This article examines the way in which California, in general, and San Diego County municipalities, in particular, are reacting to changes in the housing market and to the pressing need for more rental housing. Allowing second units in single‐family or multifamily residential zones offers one way of providing affordable rental housing to some segments of the population.