Multi-agents generating alternative plans in local land-use planning : specifying their reasoning and interaction

This paper addresses the MASQUE multi-agent framework for generating alternative plans in local land-use planning, In this framework agents represent land-use experts and initiate the development of plan proposals and request each other to express their claims in order to incrementally draw up these proposals. Presented is a probabilistic approach to the implementation of those agents to enable them to make decisions under uncertainty. It is described what personal and collective beliefs they construct and use in order to strategically choose their actions. Negotiation takes place between the initiating agent and the others in order to reach agreement on the incorporation of the claims. The negotiation is organized as an iterative process in which both parties consider conciliatory adjustments of their strategies, and thus their decisions, in order to try to find mutually accepted solutions

A multi-agent paradigm as structuring principle for planning support systems

Although urban plans may appear simple once completed, they are the outcomes of a highly complex decision-making process. This complexity makes it difficult to develop Planning Support Systems (PSS) that are comprehensive, flexible, intelligent and, yet, understandable to users. Great improvements are within reach, however, when observing the advances being made with regard to component-based software engineering and development and the role that multi-agent technology can play in this respect. This paper intends to bring this to mind and introduces a conceptual framework for PSS to describe how using a multi-agent paradigm as structuring principle could further both the intelligence and flexibility of such systems in terms of operation, functionality, usability, extensibility and adaptability. The framework is structured as an agent organization consisting of three types of agents: ‘interface agents’ to improve the user–system interaction; ‘tool agents’ to support the use and management of models; and ‘domain agents’ to provide access to specialized knowledge. As the agents are linked to specific system components, data flows in the system take the form of agent communication, while the interaction between agents enables a smooth integration of system functionality. Furthermore, the consistent definition of agents as human-like specialists facilitates users’ understandability

A multiagent model for alternative plan generation

The utilization of multiagent technology for urban planning purposes has already received much attention with regard to predicting and evaluating the effects of different policy scenarios and plan alternatives. The generation of these plan alternatives, however, remains underexplored in this context. In this paper the authors describe a multiagent model for generating alternative land-use plans, in which the agents are land-use experts that initiate the development of plan proposals and communicate with each other over time in order to draw up the proposals incrementally. The authors present a probabilistic approach to agent behaviour to enable decisionmaking under conditions of uncertainty. They describe what personal and collective beliefs agents construct and use in order to choose their actions strategically. The negotiation, taking place between the initiating agent and the other agents, aimed at reaching agreement with regard to the various claims, is organized as an iterative process in which both parties consider conciliatory adjustments to their strategies, and thus their decisions, in order to try to find mutually acceptable solutions. A hypothetical case study demonstrates the operation of the model and the effects of its behavioural parameter

Towards a Local Planning Support System,Introducing the MASQUE Framework

Urban planning is an important instrument for improving the quality of life, but it is hampered by the fact that the effects of many decisions, to be made by the planner, are practically unknown or at best unclear. The high level of complexity, uncertainty and subjectivity involved in urban plan development is seriously troubling the planner. One way of facilitating the plan development process, and potentially improving the decision-making, is developing a Planning Support System (PSS) that combines artificialintelligence with a gamut of computational tools that support the process. At the Eindhoven University of Technology a research program is conducted to develop such a system for local urban planning in the Netherlands. The system, named MASQUE (Multi-Agent System for supporting the Quest forUrban Excellence), applies Multi-Agent technology to incorporate multidisciplinary expertise on both tools and domains as well as to enable intelligent guidance and assistance towards the user. Strong emphasis is put on the scenario-based way of working that is common in urban planning. This paper puts forward the difficulties faced in local planning practice and discusses the possibilities for computer-assistance. This finally resolves into the introduction of the MASQUE framework, describing how the system is organized and how the agents will be involved

Alternative ways of measuring activities and movement patterns of transients in urban areas: International experiences

Five methods of measuring pedestrian movement can be distinguished: tracking, observing by means of cameras, interviewing, questionnaires and using high tech equipment like RFID, GPS, cell phones and yR. This paper reports on and discusses the collection of data of pedestrian movement and activities in central shopping areas in cities in the Netherlands, China, Japan, and South Korea. The data have been collected by means of interviews or questionnaires. Aspects regarding sample, survey instrument and design, administration, data cleaning, and experiences have been dealt with. Next, questions concerning the timing and location of intercepting respondents, how to elicit destinations visited and routes walked through the study area have been discussed. It has been concluded that in order to improve data quality pedestrians should be intercepted when leaving the study area and immediately be interviewed on the spot

Alternative ways of measuring activities and movement patterns of transients in urban areas: International experiences

Five methods of measuring pedestrian movement can be distinguished: tracking, observing by means of cameras, interviewing, questionnaires and using high tech equipment like RFID, GPS, cell phones and yR. This paper reports on and discusses the collection of data of pedestrian movement and activities in central shopping areas in cities in the Netherlands, China, Japan, and South Korea. The data have been collected by means of interviews or questionnaires. Aspects regarding sample, survey instrument and design, administration, data cleaning, and experiences have been dealt with. Next, questions concerning the timing and location of intercepting respondents, how to elicit destinations visited and routes walked through the study area have been discussed. It has been concluded that in order to improve data quality pedestrians should be intercepted when leaving the study area and immediately be interviewed on the spot