Let's talk objects: generic methodology for urban high-resolution simulation

An object-based approach to portraying urban systems, based on the priority of spatial relationships, is proposed. Real-world entities are represented by means of unitary fixed and non-fixed objects. Fixed unitary objects are located directly, by coordinates, while non-fixed unitary objects are located by pointing to fixed objects. Self-organizing spatial ensembles of unitary urban objects are represented by means of emerging domain objects. Software objects represent unitary objects and domains as well as the relationships between them. The user is responsible for formulating rules of object creation, updating, and destruction, while the system automatically updates relationships following movements of non-fixed objects, domain self-organization, change, and destruction. A prototype software system for simulating housing dynamics is presented. 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.