Land Use Suitability Analysis in Coyote Valley, California

With the advances in the field of computer mapping technologies over the last 50 years, land-based data and many forms of geospatial information became readily available to land use professionals. As a result, land use suitability mapping and analysis became one of the most valuable applications of GIS in planning and land-use management field. Public agencies can now use comprehensive GIS data and modeling tools to make key decisions about critical issues regarding land-use planning. In order for planners to make sound and informed decisions, they require GIS data and powerful modeling tools that deliver highly reliable information. The intend of this study was to demonstrate and compare two popular GIS-based land use suitability tools that assisted urban planners and policy makers in implementing a large scale project in Coyote Valley area in San Jose, California.