An Overview of Modeling Spatial Relationships in Site Layout Planning Literature

Site layout planning studies the efficient allocation of temporary facilities in construction sites. In this field, over 100 journal and conference papers have been published between 1994 and 2020, focusing on optimization models to improve the layout and the study of different dimensions of the problem. One of those dimensions is spatial relationships modelling, where planning goals are transformed into measurable objectives for mathematical equations, which involves proximity or farness relationships between temporary facilities. This paper studies how the spatial relationships have been modelled in the literature, based on 66 formerly published optimization models that included closeness as a spatial relationship. Of these, 40 papers used more than one spatial relationship, suggesting increasing interest in their application. The findings of this process discuss definitions and mathematical formulation of spatial relationships in the literature, different examples of application, and recommendations for future work in this area. This review paper should enable future researchers to utilize spatial relationships more extensively in site layout planning models to satisfy planning goals and objectives. The achievement of planning goals such as productivity, safety, security and functionality will contribute to more realistic site layouts for the industry, where planning goals, objectives and spatial relationships help address the complex and dynamic requirements of construction site layout planning.