dc.description.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. | en |