The document discusses several common methods for population forecasting used in urban planning and design of water works, including:
- Arithmetical increase method which assumes a constant population increase over time, generally providing lower estimates.
- Geometrical increase method which assumes a constant percentage increase, providing higher estimates as the percentage rarely remains constant.
- Incremental increase method which combines arithmetical and geometrical by using actual census data on population changes.
- Decrease rate method which models decelerating growth approaching a saturation population based on practical constraints.
- Graphical methods which plot past population data and extend trends to forecast future populations based on comparisons to other similar cities.