Geosimulation

Geosimulation is hailed as ‘the next big thing’ in geographic modelling for urban studies. This book presents readers with an overview of this new and innovative field by introducing the spatial modelling environment and describing the latest research and development using cellular automata and multi-agent systems. Extensive case studies and working code is available from an associated website which demonstrate the technicalities of geosimulation, and provide readers with the tools to carry out their own modelling and testing.

• The first book to treat urban geosimulation explicitly, integrating socio-economic and environmental modelling approaches
• Provides the reader with a sound theoretical base in the science of geosimulation as well as applied material on the construction of geosimulation models
• Cross-references to an author-maintained associated website with downloadable working code for readers to apply the models presented in the book

Visit the Author's Website for further information on Geosimulation, Geographic Automata Systems and Geographic Automata Software

http://www.geosimulationbook.com

Preface.

Acknowledgements.

Foreword.

1. Introduction to urban Geosimulation.

1.1 A new wave of urban geographic models is coming.

1.2 Defining urban Geosimulation.

1.3 Automata as a basis of Geosimulation.

1.4 High-resolution GIS as a driving force of Geosimulation.

1.5 The origins of support for Geosimulation.

1.6 Geosimulation of complex adaptive systems.

1.7 Book layout.

2. Formalizing Geosimulation with Geographic Automata Systems (GAS).

2.1 Cellular Automata and Multi-Agent Systems – Unite!

2.2 Geographic Automata Systems (GAS).

2.3 GAS as a tool for modelling Complex Adaptive Systems.

2.4 From Gas to software environment for urban modelling.

2.5 Object Based Environment for Urban Simulation (OBEUS) – a minimal implementation of GAS.

2.6 Universality of GAS.

2.7 Verifying GAS models.

3. System Theory, Geography, and Urban Modelling.

3.1 The basic notions of system theory.

3.2 The 1960s, geography meets system theory.

3.3 ‘Stocks and flows’ urban modelling.

3.4 Critics of comprehensive modelling.

3.5 What next? Geosimulation of collective dynamics!

4. Modelling urban land usage with cellular automata.

4.1 Introduction.

4.2 Cellular Automata as a framework for modelling complex spatial systems.

4.3 Urban Cellular Automata.

4.4 From Markov models to urban Cellular Automata.

4.5 Integration of the CA and Markov approaches at a regional level.

4.6 Conclusions.

5. Modelling Urban Dynamics with Multi-Agent Systems.

5.1 Introduction.

5.2 MAS as a tool for modelling complex human-driven systems.

5.3 Interpreting agency.

5.4 Urban agents, urban agency, and multi-agent cities.

5.5 Agent behaviour in urban environments.

5.6 General models of agents’ collectives in urban interpretation.

5.7 Abstract MAS models of urban phenomena.

5.8 Real-world agent-based simulations of urban phenomena.

5.9 MAS models as planning and assessment tools.

5.10 Conclusions.

6. Finale: Epistemology of Geosimulation.

6.1 Universal questions.

6.2 The future of Geosimulation.

Bibliography.

Index.

Itzhak Benenson is the author of Geosimulation: Automata-based modeling of urban phenomena, published by Wiley.

Paul Torrens is the author of Geosimulation: Automata-based modeling of urban phenomena, published by Wiley. 'Geosimulation' is a rapidly developing area in geography. Merging GIS, complex systems theory and the latest developments in computer science, it revolutionizes the way in which we think about and model real world complex systems.

Applicable across a wide variety of disciplines, Geosimulation: automata-based modelling of urban phenomena details some of the most exciting developments in the emerging field of geosimulation. Primarily concerned with developing realistic representations of geographic systems and simulating processes within a computing environment, the emphasis lies in the latest research and development using cellular automata and multi-agent systems.

• Details the current state-of-the-art in advanced urban simulation
• Provides the most extensive and thorough investigation into a new and rapidly developing field
• Has a strong applied focus, with examples from urban studies, city and regional planning, environmental science, political science, sociology, biology, chemistry and physics
• Presents the reader with a sound theoretical basis of the science of geosimulation, along with applied material on the construction of geosimulation models
• Applications, examples and working code available from an associated Website providing readers with the tools to carry out their own modelling and testing

Geosimulation: automata-based modelling of urban phenomena is essential reading for postgraduates and academic researchers interested in GIS, spatial science, urban modelling, quantitative geography and computer science. It will be useful supplementary reading for Masters and upper level undergraduate students of geocomputation, GIS, remote sensing and spatial information science. It is also key reading for local government and public policy groups in urban planning.