A key area in the analysis of the evolution of urban structure through modelling is identifying phase transitions. At these critical points, the structure changes radically. In planning terms, effective analysis would allow us to work towards or away such transitions depending on whether it was a beneficial or detrimental change. A simple aggregate retail model is used here to illustrate the argument.
Such explorations have been carried out in the past. Here we present more powerful visualization methods that facilitate the exploration of phase changes in more depth. This prototype offers a good foundation for the development of more realistic systems in the future.
This working paper is available as a PDF. The file size is 3.24MB.
Authors: Alan Wilson, Joel Dearden
Publication Date: 1/7/2008