Mika Ristimäki

Commuting to the Centre in Different Urban Structures

Density gradients have been a common approach when estimating decentralisation processes with monocentric models. In this study the gradient approach is applied to measure the traditional pattern of commuting to the centre from surrounding areas. Availability of empirical origin–destination data on commuting enables comparisons between increasing numbers of different urban areas. Empirical data on commuting patterns in nine cities from Finland and the United Kingdom are used. In the model the probability of commuting depends on the distance to the centre. The result is the parameterisation of the distance-decay curve of commuting. The estimated parameter values enable identification of different urban structures.

The Planner’s TOOLBOX: A Web-based Support System for Sustainable Development

The Planner’s TOOLBOX is a web-based tool for regional planners. It offers knowledge of how to use geographical information and geographical information systems in planning. The main emphasis is on how to implement the principles and practices of sustainable development in spatial planning. The Planner s Toolbox is the end-product of a European Union INTERREG II C project to develop a ‘Planning System for Sustainable Development, PSSD’ involving Finnish, Danish and German partners representing a range of regional planning bodies and national research institutes. The Planner’s TOOLBOX is an associative cross-reference database. It offers examples, theories, methods, indicators, tools and scientific documents concerning questions about planning and GIS. The contents can be examined by using classifications, by undertaking searches and by following hierarchical and associative links. Users can upload their own information into the Planner’s TOOLBOX.