The 'Martin Centre Model' in practice: strengths and weaknesses

Abstract

In this paper the general characteristics are defined of the recent land-use–transport interaction models developed ultimately from the work of the Centre for Land Use and Built Form Studies and the Martin Centre. In honour of the Centre's anniversary, we may perhaps refer to the general form as the ‘Martin Centre Model’, whilst acknowledging that most of its refinement and application has been undertaken by private consultancies building upon the Centre's tradition. The Martin Centre Model is characterised by a generalised approach integrating an input–output framework, a spatial distribution model, and a microeconomic approach to land prices and utilities of location. Numerous models corresponding to this description have been used since the mid-1970s, with many variations both of the spatial-economic models and of the associated transport models. The strengths of this approach include the scope for transport to influence the location of activities; the interactions between land-using activities themsel...