Transactions in GIS, 2007, 11(4): 597–619 © 2007 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2007 Blackwell Publishing Ltd Blackwell Publishing Ltd Oxford, UK TGIS Transactions in GIS 1361-1682 © 2007 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2007 Blackwell Publishing Ltd XXX Research Article A Case Study of South East Queensland P Chhetri, J Corcoran, R Stimson, M Bell, J Cooper and D Pullar Research Article Subjectively Weighted Development Scenarios for Urban Allocation: A Case Study of South East Queensland Prem Chhetri School of Management RMIT University Robert Stimson The UQ Social Research Centre University of Queensland Jim Cooper School of Geography, Planning and Architecture University of Queensland Jonathan Corcoran The UQ Social Research Centre University of Queensland Martin Bell School of Geography, Planning and Architecture University of Queensland David Pullar School of Geography, Planning and Architecture University of Queensland Abstract This article presents a GIS-based methodology to integrate a measure of geographic attractiveness of localities in the process of allocating potential dwellings in the context of a large urban region. The methodology was developed for a study area in Brisbane-South East Queensland (SEQ), known as the Sunbelt Region, a rapidly growing region and a popular tourist destination in Australia. In this article, we have used a multivariate technique to develop a set of parameterised linear equations to define underlying dimensions that drive residential location decision choices. Aesthetic and accessibility factors were identified in the factor analysis from data collected via a survey of Quality of Life. Spatial measures were based on a combination of network distance and kernel density estimation to calculate ‘aesthetic’ and ‘accessibility’ scenarios, which were then overlaid and multiplied by their subjective weights to create an ‘overall attractiveness scenario’. These development scenarios were integrated as a set of criteria to control the allocation of potential dwelling capacity over the next 25 years at a grid cell level. Address for correspondence: Prem Chhetri, School of Management, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia. E-mail: prem.chhetri@rmit.edu.au