Grant Ian Thrall

Statistical and theoretical issues in verifying the population density function.

Some principles of urban land use theory are reviewed particularly the principle that there is a direct relation between proximity to a city center or subcenter and population density. Specific attention is given to the concept of population-density gradients. (ANNOTATION)

Common Geographic Errors of Real Estate Analysts

A variety of geographic problems have entered into real estate analysis as GIS and related computational technology have become more commonly used. While technology has increased productivity, that same higher productivity also has been accompanied by increased misuse of geographic concepts. The misuse includes errors of problem formulation, data creation, model design, and result interpretation.

Real Estate Problem Solving and Geographic Information Systems: A Stage Model of Reasoning

The development of computerized geographic information systems (GIS) and the accompanying extensive databases, many of them utilizing desktop computers, has created a technological revolution extending directly into real estate problem solving. Real estate problems are often characterized as uncertain, complex, and dynamic. Solving them, if solutions are possible, is a multistep process with a strong emphasis on deductive reasoning and decision making, both emphases adopted from the finance and economics disciplines. This article develops a stage model that considers the fundamental reasoning activities of description, explanation, prediction, judgement, and implementation common to all problem-solving steps in order to assess how GIS may affect real estate problem solving. The model is used to demonstrate the potential of GIS to more fully incorporate problem-solving steps other than decision making into the problem-solving process and to make inductive thinking more rigorous and accessible. The article also considers the issues of rigor and relevance and potential side effects and unintended consequences associated with the use of GIS or other information technology.

A computer assisted decision strategy for evaluating new satellite hub sites for a local utility provider

Abstract “Satellite” is a geographic information system designed to aid a local public utility in siting hub facilities and for describing field work activity. Such activity is one of the most important influences on the morphology of the urban built environment. “Satellite” is illustrated using 16 megabytes of data of utility work-orders from the three divisions of Gainesville Regional Utilities: water, wastewater, and electricity. Field activities in these three divisions are subdivided into 24 different job categories. Choropleth maps of job activities, transportation costs, and the allotment of city sections among the possible sites are generated. Percentage savings in transportation cost from adding satellite hub facilities is calculated. “Satellite” is used to determine the least transportation cost location for a utility hub.

Green-space Acquisition Ranking Program (GARP): A computer-assisted decision strategy

Abstract GARP, an acronym for Green-space Acquisition and Ranking Program, is a computer-assisted decision strategy (CADS) that can be the basis of an orderly and rational local government program of acquiring land for open space and recreation. Fifteen criteria are used to rank parcels. Numerical values are assigned according to how well the parcel conforms to each criterion and the importance of the criterion for “active” and for “passive” recreational use. Active use generally requires capital intensive development such as ball fields. Passive use is typically low intensity such as bridle and walking paths. The numerical values for each parcel are summed separately for active and for passive use; these scores reveal an ordinal ranking of the properties separately for active and for passive use.

The Effect of Increasing Transportation Cost Upon Urban Spatial Structure: An Analysis Using the Graphical Consumption Theory of Land Rent

(1982). The Effect of Increasing Transportation Cost Upon Urban Spatial Structure: An Analysis Using the Graphical Consumption Theory of Land Rent. Urban Geography: Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 121-141.

Geoinvestment: The Interdependence Among Space, Market Size, and Political Turmoil in Attracting Foreign Direct Investment

A country with a favorable business climate and a large market is more likely to attract foreign direct investment than a country with a small market and political turmoil. For any given market size, the degree to which political turmoil is translated into reduced foreign direct investment is dependent upon the type of investment, the proximity of the destination country to the origin country, and the location of the destination country. In this paper a general model of foreign direct investment is introduced that associates foreign direct investment to market size, political turmoil, proximity, distance bias and direction bias. The model is supported with information on United States of America foreign direct investment. The effect of political turmoil upon foreign direct investment F has recently been modeled and empirically estimated by Thrall and Erol (1983a, 1983b). Their work demonstrated the presence of a bifurcation in the pattern of U.S. foreign direct investment: Given the occurrence of political turmoil, capital may not be attracted to countries with small markets, G ; such countries may be perceived as “out of control.” However, countries with large G may experience increases in F even if political turmoil T occurs. The research in this paper departs from the earlier work of Thrall and Erol on foreign direct investment in two ways:

REGIONAL DYNAMICS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT WELFARE EXPENDITURES

(1981). REGIONAL DYNAMICS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT WELFARE EXPENDITURES. Urban Geography: Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 255-268.

Demographic Ring Study Reports with GIS Technology

Market analysis that is performed in support of commercial real estate decisions has long included demographic ring study reports. Recent advancements in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology has spilled over to ring-study reporting. Contemporary ring studies have detailed breakdowns of populations by subgroup, include expenditure projections by product category, and are available for purchase for use on desktop computers at under

Three pure planning scenarios and the consumption theory of land rent

300. Two ring-study products are contrasted here: Site Reporter from CACI and CensusCD+Maps from GeoLytics.