Modeling growth and predicting future developed land in the upstate of South Carolina

Abstract

For this study a comparable model, with some improvements, was developed to predict where the growth is most likely to occur through the year 2030 for eight counties in the Upstate region of South Carolina. A geographic information system-based model was developed, combining a binomial logistic regression approach with expert information provided by informed participants from throughout the region. A map created from the output of the growth model shows what the pattern of developed land for the study area might look like by the year 2030. These results can give decision-makers better information from which to implement good growth policy for the future of the region.