Residential Development in Hamilton-Wentworth, 1980 to 1994

Abstract

<p>The work presented here is based on data for subdivision applications in the Region of Hamilton-Wentworth between 1980 and mid-1994. The data set contains both spatial and attribute information for each subdivision. The analysis which utilizes this data is divided into three sections. The first is a descriptive examination detailing the pattern of development over space and time. Density is then used as a dependent variable in multiple regression to determine which factors can explain the spatial variation of subdivision densities. The final analysis uses a logit model to test which characteristics of the urban area are important in a subdivision's choice of location among a set of zones representing land available for development.</p> <p>Most development tends to occur in the form of relatively small subdivisions, and densities appear to increase over time. Yearly subdivision activity displays trends similar to those of various economic indicators. Density is found to be a function of distance from major roadways, the year of plan approval, household sizes and average incomes, and can also be explained using a set of categorical variables for location of development. The logit analysis shows that subdivisions are more likely to locate in areas that have more high-speed roads, more developable land, and greater quantities of previous development. Location probabilities are also higher for zones that are less accessible to employment, have smaller average family sizes, and higher average homeowner payments. Alternative specific density variables are also very important to the logit results.</p>