When the known properties of the dynamics of nonlinear systems are reviewed in the context of urban and regional modelling, it is argued that this provides an important new perspective for planners—analogous to the role of DNA in biology. As a preliminary, it is shown that effective modelling of urban and regional dynamics, particularly with a view to policy and planning applications, demands the articulation of a hierarchy of models. It is then possible to identify the structural ‘DNA’ for various layers which determine the dynamics and possible paths of development. This in turn allows the development of a ‘genetic planning’ concept by analogy with ‘genetic medicine’.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
ArthurW B, 1994Increasing Returns and Path Dependence in the Economy (University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, MI)
2.
BeckerG S, 1965, “A theory of the allocation of time”Economic Journal75488–517
3.
ClarkeK, 1998, “Loose-coupling a cellular automaton model and GIS: long-term urban growth predictions for San Francisco and Washington — Baltimore”International Journal of Geographic Information Science12699–714
4.
ClarkeMWilsonA G, 1985, “The dynamics of urban spatial structure: the progress of a research programme”Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, New Series10427–451
5.
DeardenJWilsonA G, 2008, “Exploring urban retail phase transitions—1: an analysis system”, WP 141, Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis, University College London
6.
HarrisBWilsonA G, 1978, “Equilibrium values and dynamics of attractiveness terms in production-constrained spatial-interaction models”Environment and Planning A10371–388
LowryI S, 1964, “A model of metropolis”, RU-4035-RC, The Rand Corporation, Santa Monica, CA
9.
SilvaE A, 2004, “The DNA of our regions: artificial intelligence in regional planning”Futures361077–1094
10.
WilsonA G, 2000Complex Spatial Systems: The Modelling Foundations of Urban and Regional Analysis (Prentice-Hall, Harlow, Essex)
11.
WilsonA G, 2006a, “Ecological and urban systems models: some explorations of similarities in the context of complexity theory”Environment and Planning A38633–646
12.
WilsonA G, 2006b, “A general representation for urban and regional models”Computers, Environment and Urban Systems31148–161
13.
WilsonA G, 2008a, “Boltzmann, Lotka and Volterra and spatial structural evolution: an integrated methodology for some dynamical systems”Journal of the Royal Society, Interface5865–871, http://www.dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2007.1288
14.
WilsonA G, 2008b, “A core model for the analysis of urban dynamics”, WP 128, Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis, University College London
15.
WilsonA G, 2008c, “Urban and regional ‘DNA’: the basis for constructing a typology of areas”, WP 130, Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis, University College London
