Publication Date

Fall 1995

Degree Type

Master's Project

Degree Name

Master of Urban Planning (MUP)

Department

Urban and Regional Planning

Abstract

This report explores the profound impact of rapid global population growth and urbanization on contemporary urban planning, with a specific focus on the complex socio-economic landscape of California. As metropolitan areas grapple with diverse cultural dynamics, economic fluctuations, and regional crises such as the closure of the Fort Ord military base, traditional planning models relying on low-density land use and single-occupancy vehicles have proven increasingly unsustainable. The study highlights the critical necessity for modern planners to integrate comprehensive demographic trends and multifaceted policy analysis to address escalating community needs and resource constraints. By establishing population dynamics as the foundational role in urban development and introducing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a key analytical tool applied to Monterey County, this research provides a framework for formulating alternative, long-term public policies that balance economic viability, environmental preservation, and quality of life in growing urban centers.

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