LEAM Land Use Model
The Land use Evolution and impact Assessment Model (LEAM) is a computer-based tool that simulates changes in land use and land cover across space and time. LEAM is not so much a model, but a holistic approach toward planning prior to development that aims at facilitating collaboration among agencies and the public. LEAM differs from other land use change models in several key ways.
- Shorter time to deployment: LEAM is calibrated and ready to use
on any community based on widely-available national datasets and can be
quickly customized based on local data.
- Easy to use: LEAM
utilizes a web-based user interface that is very easy to use. When a
model run is submitted, summarized and detailed results automatically
appear within hours.
- No software fees: once LEAM is set up, it can be used for unlimited scenarios for a modest maintenance fee.
- Support: LEAM's creators are available anytime to give advice and assist with scenario creation, obtaining data, or analyzing results.
- Nimbleness: LEAM is flexible and can be quickly tweaked or linked with other models (i.e., transportation demand, water/air quality).
The LEAM land use change model can also be linked to other models for more powerful regional impact analyses. Output from the land use change model serves as input to other models and vice versa; other models' output can serve as input to a scenario of land use change.
