ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a brief overview of the evolution of urban growth modeling (UGM) and its applications with an emphasis on cellular automata and agent-based models and their integration with GIS. It examines the contributions of UGM to forecasting spatial patterns of development, conducting long-term environmental assessments, and evaluating urban development alternatives that can minimize adverse impacts. It also underscores the need to model urban climates in greater detail, aligning urban growth modeling with climate projections to improve long-term flood forecast modeling, eliminate the threat of wildfires to urban communities, reduce urban heat island effects, conserve open space, and enhance the provision of ecosystem services. The chapter highlights research initiatives in which coupled urban growth–climate modeling systems have informed policy scenarios and design solutions to promote long-term climate adaptation strategies.
