Spatially-based fiscal impact analysis: An integrated approach to urban growth management

Research indicates that the spatial form of urban growth has caused environmental degradation, public health crises and fiscal dilemmas for local governments. Decision makers often lack clear, integrated information regarding the interdependent nature of land-use and transportation planning and their long-term impacts. This study endeavours to develop and test a Spatially-Based Fiscal Impact Analysis (SpFIA) protocol capable of closing this 'information-gap'. GIS software and data collected from the City of Calgary is used to compare the long-term impacts of two development scenarios exhibiting different land-use and transportation characteristics. SpFIA allows stakeholders to dynamically explore and analyze the integrated impacts of development by generating a series of tables and charts linked to maps of each scenario. After being presented the methods and results of the case study, City officials indicate that the protocol represents a promising new tool capable of improving the planning and infrastructure management of urban centres.