Innovations in Agent-Based Modelling of Spatial Systems

Dear Colleagues,

Agent-Based Modelling is a method that is ideally suited to modelling many social and spatial phenomena, particularly in human-environmental systems where the interactions and behaviours of heterogeneous individuals are key to understanding the wider system-level behaviour. Although it is a relatively new method that understandably receives criticism, significant progress has been made towards: (i) strengthening the reliability of agent-based models through the development of comprehensive validation methods; (ii) the use of new data sources to better capture observed and simulated patterns at different scales; or  (iii) through closer working with the ‘end users’ of research, such as policy makers and businesses, so that the uncertainties and limitations of any modelled results are properly understood.

This Special Issue aims to capture state-of-the-art findings in agent-based modelling of spatial systems, with a particular emphasis on papers that are advancing the discipline through new approaches to validation, the use of new data, or policy-focussed work that can evidence a strong collaboration with end users. We encourage papers ranging from those that address fundamental methodological issues in toy systems to fully-fledged empirical applications. Submissions are particularly encouraged from early-career researchers, following the European Research Council definition of within 7 years since the completion of their PhD (plus additional allowances for career breaks etc.). Research supervisors and senior colleagues are allowed as co-authors, but the lead author must be an early career researcher.

 
Submissions are invited that cover a range of issues, with topics including (but not limited to):

• Methods to support better validation of spatial agent-based models
• Empirical applications of spatial agent-based models
• The use of innovative methods to advance agent-based modelling, such as machine learning, AI methods, or Bayesian approaches
• The incorporation of novel data to inform agent-based models, such as volunteered geographical information or ‘big’ data sources
• Modelling spatial systems in real time
• Understanding and/or quantifying the uncertainty associated with spatial agent-based models
• Applications of agent-based modelling to policy-focussed problems
• Developments in the visualisation of spatial agent-based models
• Applications focussed on urban phenomena such as short-term population flows, crowding/congestion, pollution, etc.

Prof. Dr. Nick Malleson
Prof. Dr. Ed Manley
Prof. Dr. Alison Heppenstall
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.