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Home / Built Environment, Volume 30, Number 4

Urban Multifunctional Land Use: Theoretical and Empirical Insights on Economies of Scale, Scope and Diversity

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Authors: Vreeker, Ron; Groot, Henri L.F. de; Verhoef, Erik T.

Source: Built Environment, Volume 30, Number 4, 1 December 2004, pp. 289-307(19)

Publisher: Alexandrine Press

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2148/benv.30.4.289.57157

A recent planning device aimed at dealing with land scarcity is the propagation of multifunctional land use. This paper describes the evolution of urban planning concepts and their links to economic theory. We argue that the most distinctive feature of multifunctional land use is its emphasis on return to diversity. This concept is rooted in the modern economic theory of agglomeration. Empirical evidence is shown to provide some support for the quantitative relevance of return to diversity, but is still to a large extent in its infancy. More evidence is required for policy purposes aimed at identifying the optimal extent to which multifunctional land use projects have to be pursued.

Document Type: Research Article

Publication date: 01 December 2004

More about this publication?

  • Built Environment is published quarterly in March, June, September and December. With an emphasis on crossing disciplinary boundaries and providing global perspective, each issue focuses on a single subject of contemporary interest to practitioners, academics and students working in a wide range of disciplines. Issues are guest-edited by established international experts who not only commission contributions, but also oversee the peer-reviewing process in collaboration with the Editors.

    Subject areas include: architecture; conservation; economic development; environmental planning; health; housing; regeneration; social issues; spatial planning; sustainability; urban design; and transport. All issues include reviews of recent publications.

    The journal is abstracted in Geo Abstracts, Sage Urban Studies Abstracts, and Journal of Planning Literature, and is indexed in the Avery Index to Architectural Publications.

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