This paper presents a multiagent system (MAS) that simulates a multiactor interactive spatial-planning process. The MAS extends an existing approach with the principle of sharing knowledge between participating actors while trying to create a shared vision. In the simulation, actors are modelled as agents. They have desires and preferences regarding the future development of their environment. These are used to develop their individual views on what areas are eligible for change. A facilitator agent coordinates the exchange of information by indicating possible solutions and conflicts to the actor agents. The simulation is demonstrated for an allocation problem in a pilot area in the southeast of the Netherlands. Four different scenarios are implemented, which demonstrate the impact of cooperation and hierarchy during an interactive spatial-planning process. Although the model is kept limited in terms of input data, the results show its potential for providing insight into the relations and interaction between actors, rather than predicting the results of an interactive spatial-planning process.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
ArnsteinS, 1969, “A ladder of citizens participation”American Institute of Physics Journal35216–224
2.
ArrowHMcGrathJ EBerdahlJ L, 2000Small Groups as Complex Systems: Formation, Coordination, Development, and Adaptation (Sage, Beverly Hills, CA)
3.
BattyM, 2005, “Agents, cells, and cities: New representational models for simulating multiscale urban dynamics”Environment and Planning A371373–1394
4.
BousquetFLe PageC, 2004, “Multiagent simulation and ecosystem management: A review”Ecological Modelling176313–332
5.
CarjensJ Gvan LammerenRLigtenbergA, 2003, “STEPP: A strategic tool for integrating environmental aspects into planning procedures”, in Planning Support Systems in Practice, Advances in Spatial Science Eds GeertmanSStillwellJ (Springer, Berlin) pp 139–154
6.
DeadmanP, 1999, “Modelling individual behaviour and group performance in an intelligent agent-based simulation of the tragedy of the commons”Journal of Environmental Management56159–172
7.
DeadmanPGimblettR, 1994, “A role for goal-oriented autonomous agents in modelling people–environment interactions in forest recreation”Mathematical and Computer Modelling20(8) 121–133
8.
DuijnMImmersLWaaldijkF, 2003, “Gaming approach route 26: A combination of computer simulation, design tools and social interaction”Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation6(3), http://jasss.soc.surrey.ac.uk/6/3/7.html
GeertmanSStillwellJ, 2003Planning Support Systems in Practice (Springer, Berlin)
11.
HiebelerD, 1994, “The swarm simulation system and individual-based modeling”, paper presented at Decision Support 2001: Advanced Technology for Natural Resource Management, Toronto; available from HiebelerD, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Maine, Orono, ME
12.
HilverinkMRietveldP, 1999, “Land use scanner: An integrated GIS based model for long term projections of land use in urban and rural areas”Journal of Geographical Systems1155–177
13.
HofstedeG, 2001Culture's Consequences: Comparing Values, Behaviours, Institutions, and Organizations Across Nations (Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA)
14.
JankowskiPNyergesTSmithAMooreTHorvathE, 1997, “Spatial group choice: A SDSS tool for collaborative spatial decision making”International Journal of Geographical Information Science11577–602
15.
KeenP G WMortonScott M S, 1978Decision support systems, an organizational view (Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA)
16.
LaineT, 2004, “Comparing agent-based models of land use decision making”, in Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Cognitive Modelling Eds MahwahNEarlbaumL (Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA) pp 142–147
17.
Ligmann-ZielinskaAJankowskiP, 2007, “Agent-based models as laboratories for spatially explicit planning policies”Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design34316–335
18.
LigtenbergABregtALammerenR, 2001, “Multiactor based land-use modelling: Spatial planning using agents”Landscape and Urban Planning5621–33
19.
LigtenbergAWachowiczMBregtA KBeulensAKettenisD, 2004, “Design and application of a multiagent system for simulation of multiactor spatial planning”Journal of Environmental Management7243–55
20.
MansfeldM J M, 2003, “Interactive planning as a way to sustainable land use: A case study for the Netherlands”, in Conserving Biodiversity in Agricultural Landscapes Eds SwihartRMooreJ (Purdue University Press, West Lafayette, IN)
21.
MansfeldMWintjesAJongeJ DPleijteMSmeetsP, 2003, “Regiodaloog: Naar een systeeminnovatie in de praktijk”Alterra Research Instituut voor de Groene Ruimte, Wageningen, The Netherlands (in Dutch)
22.
MatthewsRGilbertNRoachAPolhillJGottsN, 2007, “Agent-based land-use models: A review of applications”Landscape Ecology221447–1459
23.
MoulinBChakerWCancetJ, 2003, “Padi-simul: Agent-base geosimulation software supporting the design of geographic spaces”Computers, Environment, and Urban Systems28387–420
24.
NonakaITakeuchiH, 1995Knowledge-creating Company: How Japanese Companies Create the Dynamics of Innovation (Oxford University Press, New York)
25.
ParkerCMansonSJanssenMHoffmanMDeadmanP, 2003, “Multiagent system models for the simulation of land-use and land-cover change: A review”Annals of the Association of American Geographers9316–340
26.
RaoA S, 1991, “Modelling rational agents within a BDI-architecture”, in Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Principles of Knowledge and Reasoning Eds AllenJFikesRSandewallE (Morgan Kaufmann, San Mateo, CA)
27.
RaoAGeorgeffM, 1995, “BDI agents: From theory to practice”, in Proceedings of the First International Conference on Multi-agent Systems, San Francisco Eds LesserVGasserL (MIT Press, Cambridge, MA) pp 312–319
28.
SaarloosDArentzeDBorgersATimmermansH, 2005, “A multiagent model for alternative plan generation”Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design32505–522
29.
SenguptaRBennetD, 2003, “Agent-based modelling environment for spatial decision support”International Journal of Geographical Information Science17157–180
30.
WachowiczMYingXLigtenbergA, 2005, “Using multiagent systems for GKD process tracking and steering: The land-use change explorer”, in Exploring Geovisualisation Eds DykesJMacEachrenAKraakM-J (Pergamon, New York) pp 223–239
31.
WhiteREngelenG, 2000, “High-resolution integrated modelling of the spatial dynamics of urban and regional systems”Computers, Environment, and Urban Systems24383–400
32.
WoerkumC, 2000Communicatie en interactieve Beleidsvorming (Samsom, Alphen aan den Rijn) (in Dutch)
33.
WolsinkM, 2003, “Reshaping the Dutch planning system: A learning process?”Environment and Planning A35705–723
34.
WooldridgeM, 1996, “Practical reasoning with procedural knowledge a logic of BDI agents with know-how”, in Proceedings of the International Conference on Formal and Applied Practical Reasoning Eds GabbayDOhlbackH (Springer, Berlin)
35.
WuF, 2002, “Calibration of stochastic cellular automata: The application to rural–urban land conversions”International Journal of Geographical Information Science16795–818
