Gauging Urban Growth Boundary Effectiveness in King County By Gabe Thum CEE 498 E GIS for Civil Engineers

What is an Urban Growth Boundary (UGB)? Regional Boundary used to designate where growth is intended to take place Inside the UGB: High density urban growth Outside the UGB: Low density rural, agricultural, wilderness, or open space Established by local, regional, or state government In King County, established in 1995

Why use an Urban Growth Boundary? Efficient use of land Maximize infrastructure investments  Water  Electric  Transportation Preserve existing farmland or wilderness Control growth / Prevent sprawl

Strategies used in the analysis Using Residential Building Permits, 1991 – 2002, database of housing types  Multi-Family(apartments, condos, ect.)  Single Family(classic suburban home) Distinguishing which building permits fell within the UGB vs. building permits which fell outside of the UGB  GIS

Strategies Determining the number of housing units per building permit (for MF only) Statistical analysis One-sided T-test Comparing levels of housing units, before and after UGB implementation

Expected Results if the UGB is Successful An increase in MF housing units  Especially inside the UGA A decrease in SF housing units  Especially outside the UGA

Results: Urban Growth Boundary Enacted

Urban Growth Boundary Enacted

Urban Growth Boundary Enacted

Urban Growth Boundary Enacted

Results MF Housing Inside has Increased MF Housing Outside has Increased SF Housing Inside has Remained Steady SF Housing Outside has Decreased

Conclusions The UGB has had an effect There has been an increase in MF housing units  More substantially inside UGB While SF Housing inside UGB remained constant, outside it has dropped substantially