Policy, Urban Form, and Tools for Measuring and Managing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The North American Problem

The scale of intervention required to reduce and adapt to the effects of climate change will require action at all levels of government and society. International accords and some federal and state governments are beginning to address greenhouse gas reduction targets, but it is at the local level that most decisions about urban form are made. Yet, urban planners and local decision makers generally lack the tools and means needed to make informed choices about the climate change implications of local growth and redevelopment decisions or to measure the effects of their decisions. While a wide spectrum of tools currently exists, few have the capacity to work simultaneously at both the regional and local scale or to capture the multiple consequences of regulatory decisions. They generally lack the capacity to model the land use- GHG relationship in a way that informs the policy process in real time

A Message-Based Framework for Real-World Mobility Simulations

There is considerable interest in the simulation of systems where humans move around, for example for traffic or pedestrian simulations. Any such simulation consists of two layers: the simulation of the “physical” system, which includes effects such as interaction with other agents or the environment; and the simulation of the “mental” layer, which generates strategies of the agents. The traditional way to couple the modules is to use files. The disadvantage of that approach is twofold: The computational performance is limited by I/O; and the modules can only be run sequentially

Distributed intelligence in pedestrian simulations

In order to accurately simulate pedestrian behaviour in complex situations, one is required to model both the physical environment and the strategic decision-making of individuals We present a method for integrating both of these model requirements, by distributing the computational complexity across discrete modules. These modules communicate with each other via XML messages. The approach also provides considerable flexibility for changing and evolving the model. The model is explained using an example of simulating hikers in the Swiss Alps.SNF, NFP 48, Habitats and Landscapes of the Alp

Szenarien für die nachhaltige Siedlungs- und Infrastrukturentwicklung in der Schweiz (2005-2030)

Spatial development patterns in Switzerland and future development trends and infrastructure requirements are not only the result of decisions at Swiss federal or cantonal levels, but also considerably influenced by developments in the EU. In the collaboration between two institutions at ETH Zurich and EPF Lausanne with the European Observatory Network ESPON, four spatial scenarios have been developed in this project. Two scenarios are affected by an individual, two scenarios by a cohesive value and distribution system. One scenario on each group takes place in a more dynamic economy and the other in a rather stagnating one. The project has used the methodology adopted by ESPON 3.2 by drawing up spatial scenarios based on an analysis of driving forces and trend projections. Furthermore, agent-based simulations have been used in an innovative way. Thematic scenarios have been designed around the broad topics of demography, economy and tourism, energy, socio cultural issues, transportation and mobility, and environment. These specific scenarios have been transformed into integrated scenarios and visualized by a sophisticated cartography

Drawing on the table: computer aided design for dummies

This paper presents a prototype for an interface device which leverages the strengths of commercially available computer-aided-design (CAD) packages and the skills of pen-based designers in a single system. Using relatively conventional technology, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display and a touchscreen, the device connects the traditional skills of a designer with the power and advantages of a CAD system. In order to closely emulate a standard drawing surface, the system interprets pen-based sketching as vector linework. In addition, a user interface system was developed that adapts the current graphical user interface (GUI) paradigm to the particular demands of a large drafting surface, using a two handed interface. While the author only created a smaller proof-of-concept device, the results were positive, and point towards the need for further development

A semi-immersive visualisation system for model-based participatory forest design and decision support

There is an increasing interest in tools that facilitate forest design, both for the forest professional and as part of a public process. This thesis advocates the development of integrated design tools that allow a broader range of forest criteria (including social and aesthetic values) to be included in the decision making process and enable a broad range of people to participate in this process. A series of criteria for design-based decision-support tools is developed, a prototype computer visualisation system was implemented, and is described in this thesis. This prototype system uses a semi-immersive large-screen theatre, innovative user interfaces and real-time three dimensional graphics to provide an intuitive environment for designing a forest. The system is evaluated against the described criteria. This evaluation shows that such systems can be implemented and show promise in assisting forestry based decisions, although many questions remain on the context in which such tools would be applied. Future research directions are suggested for developing forest design software and introducing their usage into public processes.Graduate and Postdoctoral StudiesGraduat

Virtual Alpine Landscapes and Autonomous Agents

This paper introduces the project "Planning with Virtual Alpine Landscapes and Autonomous Agents", which is funded by the Swiss National Foundation program "Habitats and Landscapes of the Alps." The project is exploring the feasibility of using autonomous agent modelling to evaluate proposed changes to an alpine landscape. The project seeks to use simulated people (agents) who "see" the landscape as surrogates for real people reacting to the proposed future landscapes. This paper describes the overall project approach, and explains how visualisation will be used in the context of the projec

Policy, Urban Form, and Tools for Measuring and Managing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The North American Problem

The scale of intervention required to reduce and adapt to the effects of climate change will require action at all levels of government and society. International accords and some federal and state governments are beginning to address greenhouse gas reduction targets, but it is at the local level that most decisions about urban form are made. Yet, urban planners and local decision makers generally lack the tools and means needed to make informed choices about the climate change implications of local growth and redevelopment decisions or to measure the effects of their decisions. While a wide spectrum of tools currently exists, few have the capacity to work simultaneously at both the regional and local scale or to capture the multiple consequences of regulatory decisions. They generally lack the capacity to model the land use- GHG relationship in a way that informs the policy process in real time