Modelling spatial and temporal urban growth (2003)

Summary \n\nIn an effort to better understand the complexity inherent in the urban growth process, the aim of this research was to develop a theoretical framework and methodology that focused on: \n? 1. Analysing the complexity of the urban growth system and evaluating the current methods available for modelling this complexity; \n? 2. Monitoring the urban growth of a fast growing city (Wuhan) in a rapidly developing country (P.R.China), based on remotely sensed imagery, and evaluating its structural and functional changes by modelling; \n? 3. Developing and demonstrating a quantitative method for the comparative measurement of long-term temporal urban growth; \n? 4. Developing and demonstrating an interpretable method for urban growth pattern modelling; \n? 5. Developing and demonstrating a spatially and temporally explicit method for understanding the urban growth process. \nFirst, urban growth is defined as a system resulting from the complex dynamic interactions between the developable, developed and planned systems. \nSecond, with remotely sensed imagery (SPOT and aerial photographs) and secondary sources, this research presents a methodology for monitoring and evaluating structural and functional changes in the last five decades. \nThird, this research presents an innovative method for the temporal measurement of longterm urban growth for the purpose of comparing urban sprawl. By using the concept of relative space, the temporal complexity can be transformed into spatial complexity, indicated by the complex spatial interactions between urban sprawl and urban social and economic systems. \nFourth, this research presents a preliminary multi-scale perspective for understanding spatial patterns based on spatial hierarchical theory. The spatial hierarchies comprise planning, analysis and data, which are interrelated. Multi-scale in analysis hierarchy refers to the probability of change (macro), the density of change (meso) and the intensity of change (micro). \n Fifth, this research presents an innovative method for understanding spatial processes and their temporal dynamics on two interrelated scales (municipality and project), using a multi-stage framework and dynamic weighting concept. The multi-stage framework aims to model local spatial processes and global temporal dynamics by incorporating explicit decision-making processes. \nFinally, this research has found that complexity theories such as hierarchy theory and selforganising theory are very helpful in conceptually and methodologically understanding the specific complexity of a complex system. Spatial and temporal modelling based on complexity methods such as cellular automata can improve the analytical functions of GIS with the aid of remotely sensed imagery. \n Summary \n\nIn an effort to better understand the complexity inherent in the urban growth process, the aim of this research was to develop a theoretical framework and methodology that focused on: \n? 1. Analysing the complexity of the urban growth system and evaluating the current methods available for modelling this complexity; \n? 2. Monitoring the urban growth of a fast growing city (Wuhan) in a rapidly developing country (P.R.China), based on remotely sensed imagery, and evaluating its structural and functional changes by modelling; \n? 3. Developing and demonstrating a quantitative method for the comparative measurement of long-term temporal urban growth; \n? 4. Developing and demonstrating an interpretable method for urban growth pattern modelling; \n? 5. Developing and demonstrating a spatially and temporally explicit method for understanding the urban growth process. \nFirst, urban growth is defined as a system resulting from the complex dynamic interactions between the developable, developed and planned systems. \nSecond, with remotely sensed imagery (SPOT and aerial photographs) and secondary sources, this research presents a methodology for monitoring and evaluating structural and functional changes in the last five decades. \nThird, this research presents an innovative method for the temporal measurement of longterm urban growth for the purpose of comparing urban sprawl. By using the concept of relative space, the temporal complexity can be transformed into spatial complexity, indicated by the complex spatial interactions between urban sprawl and urban social and economic systems. \nFourth, this research presents a preliminary multi-scale perspective for understanding spatial patterns based on spatial hierarchical theory. The spatial hierarchies comprise planning, analysis and data, which are interrelated. Multi-scale in analysis hierarchy refers to the probability of change (macro), the density of change (meso) and the intensity of change (micro). \n Fifth, this research presents an innovative method for understanding spatial processes and their temporal dynamics on two interrelated scales (municipality and project), using a multi-stage framework and dynamic weighting concept. The multi-stage framework aims to model local spatial processes and global temporal dynamics by incorporating explicit decision-making processes. \nFinally, this research has found that complexity theories such as hierarchy theory and selforganising theory are very helpful in conceptually and methodologically understanding the specific complexity of a complex system. Spatial and temporal modelling based on complexity methods such as cellular automata can improve the analytical functions of GIS with the aid of remotely sensed imagery. \n Summary \n\nIn an effort to better understand the complexity inherent in the urban growth process, the aim of this research was to develop a theoretical framework and methodology that focused on: \n? 1. Analysing the complexity of the urban growth system and evaluating the current methods available for modelling this complexity; \n? 2. Monitoring the urban growth of a fast growing city (Wuhan) in a rapidly developing country (P.R.China), based on remotely sensed imagery, and evaluating its structural and functional changes by modelling; \n? 3. Developing and demonstrating a quantitative method for the comparative measurement of long-term temporal urban growth; \n? 4. Developing and demonstrating an interpretable method for urban growth pattern modelling; \n? 5. Developing and demonstrating a spatially and temporally explicit method for understanding the urban growth process. \nFirst, urban growth is defined as a system resulting from the complex dynamic interactions between the developable, developed and planned systems. \nSecond, with remotely sensed imagery (SPOT and aerial photographs) and secondary sources, this research presents a methodology for monitoring and evaluating structural and functional changes in the last five decades. \nThird, this research presents an innovative method for the temporal measurement of longterm urban growth for the purpose of comparing urban sprawl. By using the concept of relative space, the temporal complexity can be transformed into spatial complexity, indicated by the complex spatial interactions between urban sprawl and urban social and economic systems. \nFourth, this research presents a preliminary multi-scale perspective for understanding spatial patterns based on spatial hierarchical theory. The spatial hierarchies comprise planning, analysis and data, which are interrelated. Multi-scale in analysis hierarchy refers to the probability of change (macro), the density of change (meso) and the intensity of change (micro). \n Fifth, this research presents an innovative method for understanding spatial processes and their temporal dynamics on two interrelated scales (municipality and project), using a multi-stage framework and dynamic weighting concept. The multi-stage framework aims to model local spatial processes and global temporal dynamics by incorporating explicit decision-making processes. \nFinally, this research has found that complexity theories such as hierarchy theory and selforganising theory are very helpful in conceptually and methodologically understanding the specific complexity of a complex system. Spatial and temporal modelling based on complexity methods such as cellular automata can improve the analytical functions of GIS with the aid of remotely sensed imagery. \n \n\n\nSummary \n\nIn an effort to better understand the complexity inherent in the urban growth process, the aim of this research was to develop a theoretical framework and methodology that focused on: \n? 1. Analysing the complexity of the urban growth system and evaluating the current methods available for modelling this complexity; \n? 2. Monitoring the urban growth of a fast growing city (Wuhan) in a rapidly developing country (P.R.China), based on remotely sensed imagery, and evaluating its structural and functional changes by modelling; \n? 3. Developing and demonstrating a quantitative method for the comparative measurement of long-term temporal urban growth; \n? 4. Developing and demonstrating an interpretable method for urban growth pattern modelling; \n? 5. Developing and demonstrating a spatially and temporally explicit method for understanding the urban growth process. \nFirst, urban growth is defined as a system resulting from the complex dynamic interactions between the developable, developed and planned systems. \nSecond, with remotely sensed imagery (SPOT and aerial photographs) and secondary sources, this research presents a methodology for monitoring and evaluating structural and functional changes in the last five decades. \nThird, this research presents an innovative method for the temporal measurement of longterm urban growth for the purpose of comparing urban sp