Spatial Dynamic Modeling

1
Spatial Dynamic Modeling

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• ESRI ArcGIS is the Microsoft of GIS
• OpenMap is an alternative
• STELLA with Spatial Modeling Environment (SME)
• Mathematical approach
• Replicate dynamic models on a uniform grid
• Parameterize using GIS
• Agent-based GIS
• Object approach
• Dynamic entities can interact and MOVE across
  space
• Flexibility efficiency versus transparency
  ease?

2
SME (Spatial Modeling Environment)
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
1. STELLATM model present in each cell of the
lattice. 2. Each model interacts with every other
model through SME.
http//www.uvm.edu/giee/SME3/
3
Agent-Based GIS Models
Land-Use Change Example
Agents can move
Interdependencies social (networks) as well as
spatial

• Heterogeneity
• Spatial
• Social
• Technological

http//www.indiana.edu/act/focus1
4
Why Bother?

• Advantage of Agent-based approach
• Ability to transcend scale (flexibility)
• Universe as a hierarchy of decision rules
• Intuitive to explain how it works
• Dangers of Agent-based approach
• Can be difficult to dissect and replicate (lack
  of transparency)
• Feedback relationships are difficult to see

5
References from Sara Metcalf

• Catherine Dibble Geographs
• http//www.geog.umd.edu/complab/complab/geographs.
  shtml
• http//jasss.soc.surrey.ac.uk/7/1/7.html
• Epstein and Axtell Growing Artificial Societies
• http//www.brook.edu/dybdocroot/SUGARSCAPE/
• Resnick Turtles Termites and Traffic Jams
• http//mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?t
  type2tid5368