Proposal for course on

Models in planning:   quantitative methods
in Regional, urban and environmental planning

designed as a two hour/week lecture series with associated practical exercises, introductory lectures and web-based distance learning structure.

Proposed Content/lecture topics:

1. INTRODUCTION and OVERVIEW
2. Quantitative analysis: Epistemiology revisited
3. What is a model ? Principles and terminology
4. General Systems Theory (Bertalanffy)
5. Mathematical Ecology: Diversity (Pielou)
6. Cybernetics: feedback
7. Systems dynamics (Forrester, Odum)
8. Basics of economy: valuation, costs, benefits
9. Game theory

10. Laws of nature: physic and chemistry
11. Analysis and calculus, revisited: solving equations
12. Principles of statistical models
13. First order logic, inference

14. Growth: linear, exponential logistic,
15. Movement: spatial dynamics
16. Spatio-temporal systems: discretization
17. Land use dynamics (Markov state transition models)
18. Cellular automata, Conways Game of Life
19. Transport and dispersion
20. Meteorology and climate (change ?)
21. Urban and industrial air quality, long range transport
22. Ecological footprint, urban water supply
23. Gravity models: explaining movements ?
24. Transportation systems (O/D matrix, equilibrium)
25. Site suitability, site selection
26. Uncertainty and error analysis
27. Rational Decision making