Simulating Cities: Process, Product, and Prognosis

Models and model building have been explored from a number of viewpoints. The present article examines this activity in the context of two quite different model-building activities with which the author has been associated. These activities are compared along two dimensions: model building (the process) and models (products). Based on these experiences and comparisons, a number of suggestions are put forward concerning characteristics of future model-building processes and of future models. It is concluded that there must be a blending of reasonably open-ended and flexible processes with the development of well-defined specific models. By developing them as part of a clearly specified process, models can be created which are more useful and more likely to be used.