attlots

Attlots is a term used in urban planning and geographic information science to describe a framework for distributing land parcels among potential users based on multiple attributes rather than price alone. It envisions an allocation process in which each lot is evaluated against a standardized set of criteria and assigned to the stakeholder whose needs most closely align with the combined score.

Origin and terminology: The word attlots is a portmanteau of “attribute” and “lots,” reflecting the core idea of attribute-based allocation. It appears primarily in theoretical discussions and classroom exercises rather than formal policy documents, where it is often used to illustrate multi-criteria decision processes.

Methodology: The approach relies on data such as parcel geometry, zoning, proximity to infrastructure, environmental constraints, ownership status, and social priorities. A weighting scheme and scoring function produce scores for lot-stakeholder pairings, or for each lot under a given set of priorities. Optimization methods, including linear programming or multi-criteria analysis, can determine allocations. Tie-breaking rules and participatory inputs may be incorporated to reflect local governance norms.

Applications: Attlots concepts appear in simulated planning exercises, post-disaster land distribution scenarios, affordable housing programs, and community land-trust planning to demonstrate how transparent, attribute-driven allocation might operate.

Advantages and limitations: Potential benefits include transparency, repeatability, and adaptability to changing priorities. Limitations include sensitivity to weight choices, data quality, and the risk of strategic behavior by participants if the process is not well governed.

See also: related areas include multi-criteria decision analysis, fair division, and GIS-based land-use planning.