Residential location model to minimize service delivery costs on the rural-urban fringe

The purpose of this study was to determine a least cost pattern of residential development in terms of the delivery of three services— sewers, solid waste pickup and primary and secondary education. West Knox County, Tennessee, was chosen as the general study area because of its rapid suburban growth and accessibility of data. Five tracts of land were selected as potential service demand sites. Fifteen service origins, including sewage treatment plants, primary/secondary schools, and a solid waste transfer station were designated. The primary means and procedures used in data assembly for this research involved economic engineering analysis. Data from the Knoxville- Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission were heavily relied upon, as well as data from the East Tennessee Development District and other local government agencies. Personal interviews also provided a major portion of needed information. A cost minimizing linear programming model was used to allocate population in a minimum cost residential pattern. The major findings of the research were that medium and high density residential development resulted in lowest cost of providing services. The difference in cost between medium and high density develop-ment was, in some instances, slight. Differences in family size between these two densities account for this situation. Average family size for medium density was three persons per dwelling which meant an average of 24 people per acre. Average family size for high density was 1.6 persons per dwelling, indicating an average of 25.6 persons per acre. Average cost would not differ a great deal under these circumstances if total costs are similar. The linear programming model has limited use for analyzing overall land-use problems. It can deal only with linear or straight line rela-tionships and with the quantitative aspects of a development problem. It worked in this research because the number of alternatives were small and the variables considered were limited to costs associated with three services—sewers, solid waste collection, and education. Policy makers at the local level might be able to use such research, however, to guide them in evaluating alternatives for residential development with respect to providing certain services. Policymakers need reliable data upon which to base land-use decisions. Budget information is necessary to determine the costs of various aspects of residential development on the rural-urban fringe. Partial budgets were developed in this research to use in a residential location model. Much more detailed budgets are needed, as well as information on the variables of density and family size. Future research should concentrate efforts in data collection and development of budgets. Once in possession of reliable information, researchers can develop mathematical models to analyze the information.