The Spatial Fiscal Impact Analysis Method is an innovative approach to measure fiscal impact and project the future costs of a proposed development, recognizing that all revenues and expenditures are spatially related. The Spatial Method focuses on estimating existing fiscal impacts of detailed land use categories by their location. It takes advantage of readily available data that reflect the flows of revenues and expenditures in a city, using the tools of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The result is a comprehensive yet transparent database for measuring existing fiscal impacts and projecting the impacts of future development or redevelopment. This book will provide readers with guidance as to how to conduct the Spatial Method in their own cities. The book will provide an overview of the history of fiscal analysis, and demonstrate the advantages of the Spatial Method to other methods, taking the reader step by step through the process, from analyzing city financial reports, determining and developing the factors that are needed to model the flows of revenues and expenditures, and then estimating fiscal impact at the parcel level. The result is a summary of detailed land use categories and neighborhoods that will be invaluable to city planners and public administration officials everywhere.

This report gives planners a complete understanding of why fiscal impact analyses are so important and how they can better design and execute them in their communities. The common methodologies are explained, critiqued, and put under a microscope, so that planners can see the impact of each component on the resulting analysis.

The Fiscal Impact Handbook is a unique manual detailing practical methods for determining the full range of revenues and costs associated with residential and nonresidential growth. Planners, economists, businessmen, administrators, financial officers, assessors, community groups, private organizations, and those interested in the fiscal consequences of growth and non-growth will find The Fiscal Impact Handbook indispensable. Fiscal impact methods are presented in a clear, step-by-step format and are capable of being carried out by the practicing planner with minimal procedural problems.The manual is designed as a basic tool to be used for projections of direct, current public (and private) costs and revenues resulting from population or employment change to the local jurisdiction in which change is taking place. Standardized methods are presented with attention paid to the underlying assumptions, limitations, and applicability of these methods. Necessary factors affecting the planning and legal framework and documentation of key data input are covered for proper utilization of fiscal impact methods.Detailed examples are given to the six flexible methods, presented with suggestions on how they can be modified by the user to meet requirements. In addition, current computer models of analysis are evaluated for operational needs and benefits. Included also is a comprehensive bibliography of the cost-revenue field and an index for quick, easy reference. This is an invaluable work for urban analysts, planners, and developers written by two of the top minds in the field of urban policy.

This timely and fascinating book illustrates how applied geography can contribute in a multitude of ways to assist policy processes, evaluate public programs, enhance business decisions, and contribute to formulating solutions for community-level problems. The book showcases studies by applied geographers from across the globe collaborating with the public sector, businesses, NGOs and communities to demonstrate how geography Ð with its space and place perspective and its explicitly spatial methods and tools Ð has been employed to address significant real-world issues. The 20 case studies have been conducted at a variety of levels of scale and situational contexts, and employ a range of quantitative and qualitative approaches including spatial and statistical modelling, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), impact analysis and action research. This enlightening and informative book will prove an invaluable reference tool for academics, students and practitioners with a specific interest in applied geography and spatial analysis.