A wide range of books on urban systems models are available today for the student of urban planning, geography, and economics. There are few, if any, books, however, that deal with integrated urban systems modeling from the operational viewpoint. The term "integrated" is used here in the same sense as the "general equilibrium," in contrast to such approaches as "sequential" or "partial equilibrium." In fact, the main thesis of this book is that the characteristics of ur ban activity that best distinguish it from rural activity are (1) the intensive use of urban land and (2) urban congestion. On this basis, models that are introduced in this book are three- dimensional in character and produce urban land use configurations with explicit optimal density of urban pro duction activities along with optimal levels of transportation congestion. It is also assumed that both public and private sectors play significant roles in shaping urban forms, structures, and functions in mixed economic systems. From this viewpoint, models developed in this book address two integrated decision-making procedures: one by the public sector, which provides urban infrastructure and public services, and the other one by the private sector, which uses provided infrastructure and public services in pursuing parochial interests."

A wide range of books on urban systems models are available today for the student of urban planning, geography, and economics. There are few, if any, books, however, that deal with integrated urban systems modeling from the operational viewpoint. The term "integrated" is used here in the same sense as the "general equilibrium," in contrast to such approaches as "sequential" or "partial equilibrium." In fact, the main thesis of this book is that the characteristics of ur ban activity that best distinguish it from rural activity are (1) the intensive use of urban land and (2) urban congestion. On this basis, models that are introduced in this book are three- dimensional in character and produce urban land use configurations with explicit optimal density of urban pro duction activities along with optimal levels of transportation congestion. It is also assumed that both public and private sectors play significant roles in shaping urban forms, structures, and functions in mixed economic systems. From this viewpoint, models developed in this book address two integrated decision-making procedures: one by the public sector, which provides urban infrastructure and public services, and the other one by the private sector, which uses provided infrastructure and public services in pursuing parochial interests."

The usual view in a mixed economy is that some goods and services are produced privately and some, such as transportation, are produced publicly. Private institutions, such as households and entrepreneurs, produce and con sume goods and services in pursuing their parochial interests, while the pub lic sector attempts to broaden public interests. More precisely, the public sector constructs new transportation systems, improves their capaci ties, and regulates services and prices; and the private sector chooses locations of pro duction, modes of transportation, and routes of shipmellt. At the sallie' Lillte'. all forms of transportation influence our lives and cause us concern for Oll r environment, health, and safety. Thus, transportation is intimately woven into the daily life of individuals and organizations in our society. Because of its constant presence, transportation is easy to overlook until it fails in some way. Few would contend that private firms could or should construct an effi cient transportation system in a mixed economic system. Because the entire transportation system must be integrated and coordinated, firms with the power to construct such a system would have considerable monopoly control."