ABSTRACT
After briefly comparing different types of spatial simulation, this chapter expounds simulations using cellular automata (CA). Apart from the main features of CA, the chapter extensively discusses the limitations of CA, and particularly, how to overcome them by coupling CA with other machine learning methods. The second paradigm of simulation based on agents or agent-based modelling (ABM) forms the second main ingredient of this chapter. Included in the discussion are such topics as how to develop rules for agent-based simulation, the relationship between CA and ABM, and how to design, develop and implement ABM. A large portion of this chapter is devoted to the implemention of ABM in the NetLogo platform. Finally, this chapter presents three case studies to demonstrate how spatial simulation can be applied to three unique domains of application. These case studies should inform the reader about how to run spatial simulations to fulfil different application objectives.
