Call for papers

[Itzhak Benenson]

Geosimulation: Object-Based
Modeling of Urban Phenomena

Special issue of the journal
Computers, Environment and Urban Systems
Guest Editors: 
Itzhak Benenson, Department of Geography, Tel-Aviv University;
Paul M. Torrens, Center for Advanced Spatial Analysis, University
College London

Geosimulation  A
New Approach to Urban Modeling
Geosimulation represents
a new wave of urban spatial simulation modeling that has come to the fore
in very recent years. Besides traditional urban modeling, the
intellectual roots of geosimulation derive from developments in computer
science and the geographical sciences. The geosimulation approach draws
together modern urban and social theory with the theory of adaptive
systems, artificial life, and complexity theory regarding cities,
offering a unique perspective that traditional simulation has commonly
lacked: a view of urban phenomena and the spatial processes that shape
them as a result of the collective dynamics of multiple urban
animate and inanimate objects. Geosimulation can be considered as an
extension of traditional urban modeling in several ways.
The first aspect regards the depiction of spatial units. While
traditional urban models have focused on aggregate partitions of urban
space essentially modifiable regional units geosimulation works
with discrete and spatially non-modifiable objects, such as
houses, lots, householders, and landowners. 
The second feature relates to the portrayal of spatial
interactions. Traditionally, urban geographic models have focused on
describing flows of matter and information between aggregate spatial
units. Geosimulation models contrast by concentrating on the interactive
behavior of elementary geographic objects. If interactions are modeled at
higher-level units of urban space, they are simulated in geosimulation as
the outcomes of collective interactions at micro-scales.
The third characteristic is concerned with the treatment of time.
While traditional urban models are inherently continuous and, thus,
indifferent regarding the choice of time units, geosimulation models, in
contrast, tend to be based on discrete and intuitively justified units of
time.
Finally, traditional and geosimulation models differ in there
attitude to urban simulation. Geosimulation could be regarded as a
reconsideration of the goals of simulation, with a new emphasis on
building scenario-generating gamestools to think withrather than
predictive models. Various simulation scenarios can be designed, each
based on different suggestions regarding factors of urban dynamics. In
this way, geosimulation can offer several different viewpoints on the
dynamics that shape urban phenomena.
 
Proposed topics for
contribution
The purpose of this special
issue of the journal, Computers, Environment and Urban Systems, is
to draw together a substantive body of work defining the state-of-the-art
in geosimulation of urban systems. Abstracts and full papers are
currently welcomed for consideration. Papers will be submitted to a
process of peer review, with a quick turnaround for an anticipated
publication date in mid 2002. Proposed topics for papers are listed
below, although submissions outside of these guidelines are also
welcomed.

        

·
New techniques for geosimulation:
advances in cellular automata and multi-agent modeling of urban dynamics;
integrated geosimulation approaches

        ·

Operationalizing geosimulation
models: making connections between high-resolution spatial and
non-spatial phenomena, tuning and validation of geosimulation 
models

        ·

New development environments for
geosimulation

        ·

Foundations of geosimulation:
discretization of space and time in geosimulation models; behavior and
agency

        ·

Geosimulation and its implications
for our understanding of real-world urban dynamics

Timetable for
submissions

Now                             Call for proposals
July 25, 2001           Abstracts due
November 14, 2001       Final papers due
January 2002            Notification of acceptance
Summer 2002             Publication of special issue

For more details

Please contact the guest editors:

Itzhak Benenson                                 Paul M. Torrens
Department of Geography                 Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis
University Tel Aviv                                     University College London
Tel-Aviv, Ramat-Aviv                            1-19 Torrington Place
69978                                           London WC1E 6BT
Israel                                          England
+972 (0) 3640-9178 [t]                          +44 (0) 207-679-1782 [t]
+972 (0) 3640-6243 [f]                          +44 (0) 207-813-2843 [f]

address@hidden                           address@hidden

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Dr. Itzhak Benenson
E-mail: address@hidden
Department of Geography and Human Environment
Tel Aviv University
Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, 69978, ISRAEL
Phone: +972-3-6409178; Fax: +972-3-6406243
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