The specifications and the design of a computer system for urban and regional planning are described, with emphasis on the various component elements. These include: /1/ a hierarchical structure for data storage which allows for more detailed inquiries into the kinds of information contained in the system, fast retrieval of the information selected, the structure as well as the data to be edited, and automatic editing of the structure with the addition of any new data, /2/ an equivalent structure containing programs to analyse and manipulate the data retrieved and a set of graphical procedures for displaying the results, and /3/ a very simple english-like language for dealing with these structures and their contents. The computer system presently operates in either a batch-processed or a time- shared mode. However, the full potential of the system can only be realized in a time-shared environment, preferably one which allows bulk output jobs to be initiated by the time-sharing user.
Abstract