| Example input | Value | Example output | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current population | 50,000 | Projected population (10 years, 2.5%) | 64,008 |
| Utilization factor | 0.85 | Added land (sample facility set) | ~86,300 m² |
| Primary school standard | 0.35 / 1000 | Primary schools required (rounded) | 27 |
| Existing primary schools | 2 | Additional primary schools | 25 |
- Projected Population = P0 × (1 + r)^t
- Raw Demand (units) = (Projected Pop / 1000) × Standard
- Adjusted Demand = Raw Demand / Utilization Factor
- Required Units = ceil(Adjusted Demand)
- Additional Units = max(0, Required − Existing)
- Added Land (m²) = Additional Units × Area per Unit
- Enter the current population for your service area.
- Set annual growth and the planning horizon in years.
- Choose a utilization factor for comfort and resilience.
- Review facility standards per 1,000 and existing units.
- Add or remove rows to match your facility program.
- Click calculate to see required units and land needs.
- Download CSV for spreadsheets or PDF for submissions.
Population projection and service baseline
Community demand begins with a clear service population. The calculator projects future population using compound growth, so plans reflect realistic increases rather than today’s snapshot. Use the planning horizon to align with master plan cycles, zoning reviews, or capital programs. Document the base year population source and keep growth assumptions consistent across sectors.
Standards per 1,000 residents
Facility standards translate people into units. Enter benchmarks such as schools, clinics, parks, or civic spaces per 1,000 residents, then compare required units with existing inventory. Standards should be tied to adopted policy, catchment analysis, and access targets. Where standards differ by neighborhood type, run scenarios for each district. If shared facilities serve multiple areas, adjust existing counts to avoid double counting.
Utilization factor and resilience
Utilization reflects how busy facilities can be before service quality drops. A factor below 1.00 increases required units to reduce crowding and provide redundancy during peak periods, maintenance, or emergencies. Calibrate utilization using observed enrollment, clinic visits, peak park loads, and response-time requirements. Apply the same factor consistently when comparing options. For phased delivery, tighten utilization in early years and relax it as new sites open.
Additional units and land implications
Required units are rounded up to avoid under-sizing. Additional units are limited to zero or more, preventing false “surplus” deductions. By adding an area-per-unit value, the output converts gaps into land demand, supporting site reservations and subdivision layouts. Track land in square meters and hectares to match urban design and engineering schedules. Include buffers for access roads, utilities, stormwater, and setbacks when selecting parcels.
Reporting, sensitivity, and decision support
Exported CSV and PDF summaries help coordinate with planners, engineers, and finance teams. Run sensitivity checks by adjusting growth, utilization, or standards to see how needs shift. Record assumptions, compare scenarios, and prioritize investments where deficits are highest. Update inputs after new census releases, facility audits, or policy revisions. Link results to a capital plan, funding strategy, and delivery timeline for approvals.
FAQs
What does the utilization factor change?
It scales demand to reflect acceptable crowding. Lower values increase required units, creating capacity headroom for peaks, maintenance closures, and emergencies. Values near 1.00 assume facilities can run close to full planned capacity.
How should standards per 1,000 be selected?
Use adopted planning policies, service-area studies, and local benchmarks. Validate standards against observed usage and access targets. If standards vary by neighborhood type, run separate scenarios and compare the combined program.
Why are required units rounded up?
Rounding up prevents under-provision when demand falls between whole units. A partial school or clinic is not deliverable, so the model uses the next full unit to ensure coverage at the projected population.
Can I model shared or regional facilities?
Yes. Enter existing units as the portion realistically available to the planning area. For regional facilities, allocate capacity by catchment share or travel-time analysis, then rerun scenarios to test different allocations.
How is land demand estimated?
Land demand equals additional units multiplied by area per unit. Enter net site areas that match your standard drawings. Add separate allowances for roads, utilities, parking, buffers, and stormwater when you move from planning to design.
What is the best way to use the exports?
Use CSV to audit assumptions, build charts, and integrate capital costs. Use PDF for submission packages and stakeholder reviews. Keep a versioned record of inputs so future updates can be compared consistently.