Selecting artificial intelligence urban models using waves of complexity

Abstract

Urban land use change is a complex and dynamic process. It is therefore important to understand the complexity involved with system dynamics and choose appropriate modelling approaches. For this purpose, this paper firstly reviews how artificial intelligence (AI) approaches provide solutions to aid urban land dynamics modelling. The three dimensions that are considered pivotal for the understanding of urban dynamic processes – urban land dynamics, planning support and AI infrastructure – are defined. Once these three dimensions are clarified, it is possible to propose the different solution spaces provided by AI approaches using a graphic representation of a cube and its associated mathematical formulation. It is therefore possible to understand and define the best data model to represent the complexity of different phenomena in urban systems.