ABSTRACT
The planners proposed simulation models to allow consideration of the effects of planning in complex, spatial, temporal organizational systems. One approach to gaining understanding of planning behaviors in organizations is to develop and analyze simulation models. The framework presented here builds on two streams of work: the garbage-can models of organizational behavior presented by Cohen et al. and the spatial evolution models of Nowak and May. This chapter focuses on devising simulations from which planners might discover general principles about the effects of planning the behavior of organizations. They focus on the planning activities of considering related choices, setting aside for planning with respect to uncertainty about planning objectives, environments, and available alternatives. All planning behaviors have to be conducted within a certain urban space. Planning is understood here as gathering information to reduce uncertainty. The chapter explains the garbage can model and develops one definition of planning as manipulation of decision situations within that framework.
