This paper introduces a method that, though roughly, attempts to steer urban and rural planning by means of using existing infrastructure. Steering spatial developments requires a clear goal, a broad accepted view on desirable spatial development. However, the infrastructure effects are difficult to forecast, and the construction of new infrastructure is costly. Therefore, a toolbox is necessary that supports the assessment of desires and possibiities for achieving optimal usage of past investments. The method contributes to the wish for intensive use of urban sites, and also promotes the development of other sites that easily can be linked with the existing infrastructure. Part of the method is a tool that is described in the paper. This tool supports the generation of alternative functions of locations to be developed. The input contains the remaining unused capacity of a transport system, the extension of new functions, and the origin and destination of travellers. The alternatives are mainly based on the existing infrastructure and its available `left-over'- capacity. In this manner, spatial developments can be influenced by the `left-over'-capacity of existing infrastructure.
Abstract