Ecological and Urban Systems Models: Some Explorations of Similarities in the Context of Complexity Theory

Alan G Wilson
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Alan G Wilson: Higher Education Directorate, Department for Education and Skills, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BT, England; and Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1 7HB, England

Environment and Planning A, 2006, vol. 38, issue 4, 633-646

Abstract: There are similarities of form between urban system models and models of ecosystems. These are systematically explored and a general model formulation which embraces both kinds of model is presented. Some insights are gained by using ideas from ecosystem modelling in urban modelling. The biggest gains, however, are for ecosystem modelling. It is demonstrated that urban techniques can be used for incorporating spatial competition effects into such models in novel ways, and that the complex dynamics can then be effectively interpreted. Urban systems have contributed significantly to complexity theory in the past—because they are complicated enough to be interesting but simple enough to be solvable. These insights can now be transferred to complex (spatial) ecosystems. The possibility of joint eco-urban models is explored.

Date: 2006
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:envira:v:38:y:2006:i:4:p:633-646

DOI: 10.1068/a37102

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