News Article

In a recently published paper in the online journal, Cities and the Environment, iUTAH researchers examined the development of a multi-dimensional classification scheme that identifies distinct configurations of ‘urban forms’ in Northern Utah. The intent of the paper is to advance or answer the following research questions:

i. What measurable attributes of urban neighborhoods have been linked in the scientific literature to a range of water outcomes (demand, quality, and ecohydrology)?

ii. To what extent do urban neighborhoods reflect distinctive combinations of these measurable attributes?

iii. Are urban neighborhood types systematically associated with resident water attitudes and behaviors?

iv. How can a formal typology of urban neighborhoods be used to guide the scientific study and practical management of urban water systems?

While the examples and classifications are regional, the paper is directed at a methodology that relies on publically available data and can be used in other urban areas. Authors of the article include Douglas B. Jackson-Smith, Philip A. Stoker, Martin Buchert, Joanna Endter-Wada, Carlos V. Licon, Molly S. Cannon, Shujuan Li, Zack Bjerregaard, and Luke Bell.

The article can be viewed in its entirety under the title Differentiating Urban Forms: A Neighborhood Typology for Understanding Urban Water Systems.

Figure from publication shows distribution of Neighborhood Types (NTs) across Utah's Wasatch Region Metropolitan Area.