Cite as:
Lai S-K, 2006, "A spatial garbage-can model" Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design 33(1) 141 – 156
Download citation data in RIS format

A spatial garbage-can model

Shih-Kung Lai

Received 28 September 2004; in revised form 5 March 2005

Abstract. In this simulation, based on a spatial garbage-can model, I treat the urban dynamic system as a set of random-walk elements interacting with each other in time. Five elements are considered: decisionmakers, choice opportunities, problems, solutions, and locations. Decisionmakers, problems, and solutions meet in an unpredictable way, are thrown into garbage cans as choice opportunities in certain locations, and something happens. In contrast to most traditional spatial simulation techniques, in which space is global and static, I consider in this simulation locations of facilities as dynamically floating on the stream of opportunities, interacting with other elements. The simulation results imply that the relationship between problems and choice opportunities dominates the outcome of the evolution, whereas the effects of the spatial structure as well as the structures of decision and solution are insignificant. The model may provide useful insights into how urban dynamics evolve.

Restricted material:

 Full-text PDF size: 243 Kb

 References  14 references, 5 with DOI links ()

Your computer (IP address: 38.107.191.105) has not been recognised as being on a network authorised to view the full text or references of this article. Please contact your serials librarian (subscriptions information).