Modelling future urban scenarios of land suitability: a case study of Jihlava city

Abstract

Controlled urban development is essential for the effective functioning of cities. Land suitability analysis can guide this development towards appropriate areas. This study utilized the Urban Planner methodology (based on multicriteria analysis) to model land suitability for Jihlava for the present and two future horizons: five and ten years. To represent future land conditions, we employed a data modelling approach grounded, for example, in real investment proposals. While we anticipated these proposals to enhance land suitability significantly, our findings revealed a more modest increase. In fact, over two-thirds of Jihlava's territory experienced no change in land suitability for housing, and for industry and logistics across both time horizons. In order to achieve significant growth, the city will need to increase investment and adopt a long-term development strategy. The Urban Planner methodology effectively provided valuable insights for guiding Jihlava's future development. The study can inform decision-making regarding infrastructure development, zoning regulations, and investment incentives by identifying areas with high land suitability for urban expansion.