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Planning Support Systems in Practice pp 205–222Cite as

Cellular Automata and Multi-agent Systems as Planning Support Tools

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Part of the book series: Advances in Spatial Science ((ADVSPATIAL))

Abstract

Traditional’ urban simulation models have a number of weaknesses that limit their suitability as planning support tools. However, a new wave of models is currently under development in academic circles, and it is beginning to find application in practical contexts. Based around two simulation techniques that have origins in artificial life and artificial intelligence — cellular automata and multi-agent systems — it offers great potential for planning support tools, with the capacity to simulate individual households and units of the built environment in a truly dynamic, realistic and highly flexible manner. This chapter presents an overview of traditional land use and transport models as planning support tools and examines theirfragilities before reviewing a new wave of urban models. Additionally, it considers the challenges facing the use of new techniques in operational models.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography and Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 6BT, UK

    Paul M. Torrens

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  1. Paul M. Torrens
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Geographical Sciences, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3508 TC, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Stan Geertman

  2. School of Geography, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, Leeds, UK

    John Stillwell

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© 2003 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Torrens, P.M. (2003). Cellular Automata and Multi-agent Systems as Planning Support Tools. In: Geertman, S., Stillwell, J. (eds) Planning Support Systems in Practice. Advances in Spatial Science. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-24795-1_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-24795-1_12

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-07834-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-24795-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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