Prospective Enhancement of Urban Planning Methodology Based on OO Modeling and Rational Unified Process

Abstract

Objective of paper is to try to define preliminary release for new urban planning methodology24 based on strong positive knowledge and practice of Object Oriented Methodologies, particular Unified Process and Model Driven Architecture widely used in IT industry. This should be in the same time starting step for the whole process of establishing this methodology which we consider as extremely complex, extensive and long-lasting as it is described later. One of the most important and effective characteristics of Unified Process is its iterative approach resulting in incremental advancement towards targeted goals opposite to the more traditional “waterfall” approach. We suggest the same method for urban planning methodology definition process previously mentioned. Actually, this method suggests to start with simple and small models and methodology elements25, which may not look useful at the start, and iterative improve it to the complex, strong and valuable methodology at the end. This is the way how modern IT methodology and modeling techniques are built to this level of complexity and expressiveness. Recommended method is especially important for urban planning methodology establishment process as complex and multidisciplinary research of application of formal methods, modeling methods, and theory for the solution of spatial problems including building environment, spatial city or regional structure. Planning theory and practice currently use several different methodologies or planning techniques but most of them are typically partial, verbal and informal, restricted to the local ambient, non-automated and thus especially difficult to be established within the IT. There is reasonable advancement in the different categories like GIS, Planning Support Systems, Decision Support System, Sketch Design, Modeling and automata theory. GIS, as the most mature one, is still not solution for all and whole problem of urban planning as it is explained in the literature (L8, L18). Planning and Decision support systems are still more in the academic and discussion phase than in actual implementation and use (L11, L13). Automata theory is exceptionally good and already widely used but has very limited implementation covering only narrow problem domain subset (L1, L10). Sketch Design and Modeling are not developed to the useful level despite theirs recent resurrection (L5, L6, L16, L17). Situation within the IT industry is opposite and we may find emerging standards for Analysis, Design, Implementation, Testing and Deployment of computer based systems which are successfully applied in many vertical industries. Results are improved controllability, quality, efficiency and accuracy of solutions, active participation of all participants, knowledge accumulation, knowledge transfer and at the end complete industry improvement. Papers propose multidisciplinary research focused on development, advancement and application of formal computer based modeling methodologies for better understanding and improvement of urban systems. Result of this research is not new programming or software tool, ready to solve all possible problems encountered to the planners in everyday work, but it is formal and standardized planning methodology. This methodology may be later used for software tool production as it was the case in the IT industry. For this we suggest as starting point OO Modeling (L7, L16), Unified Process (L12) and Unified Modeling Language (L4, L14). It is obvious that linear and direct application of Unified Process, to the urban systems, is not appropriate therefore localization to the urban domain should occur. Once again we strongly want to recommend iterative and incremental approach to the whole process and therefore we may consider this as a process of establishment of formal planning methodology26. Proposed Establishment Process is extremely difficult and complex therefore all participants should take active role. Moreover, it certainly requires a strong and widely supported strategic decision within the urban industry before it even starts. Without this support the whole research is destined to fail since it can not be established properly and will not be used and further developed. We will emphasize existence of two targeted directions of proposed research. The First considers mutation and application of Unified Process methodology and UML to the urban planning and urban systems domain and the second targets further enhancement of urban planning knowledge and techniques as the result of applied formal methodology. The First direction will question and improve Unified Process and UML completeness and universality through its further enrichment, by adding and generalize domain specific particularities. The Second direction aims to establish new planning methodology as solution for emerging problems found in contemporary urban systems.