Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Complex, Adaptive Systems, Through Time and Across Space

Alberta Power Generation

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Complexity and Spatial Networks

Part of the book series: Advances in Spatial Science ((ADVSPATIAL))

Abstract

Complexity does not mean complicated (Nijkamp 2007; Waldrop 1992, pp. 11–12). Confusion arises since complexity is a word in common use but in science it has a special meaning (O’Sullivan 2004). The first part of this chapter will consider the various definitions of complexity that have appeared in the literature. The second part will discuss a case study of the deregulation of the Alberta, Canada, electrical power generation industry, illustrating the dynamics of a complex system.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. 1.

    See http://www.alootechie.com/content/google-chicago-tribune-blame-each-other-collapse-united-airlines-stock-price.

  2. 2.

    See http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/10/14/ST2008101403344.html, the Washington Post article.

References

  • Alberta Advisory Council on Electricity (2002) Report to the Alberta Minister of Energy. Edmonton, Alberta

    Google Scholar 

  • Arthur WB (1989) Competing technologies, increasing returns, and lock-in by historical events. Econ J 99:116–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arthur WB (1996) Increasing returns and the New World of Business. Harv Bus Rev 74(4):100–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Batty M (2005) Cities and complexity: understanding cities with cellular automata, agent-based models, and fractals. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA

    Google Scholar 

  • Batty M, Longley P (1994) Fractal cities: a geometry of form and function. Academic Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumol WJ, Benhabib J (1989) Chaos: significance, mechanism and economic applications. J Econ Perspect 3:77–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett RJ, Chorley RJ (1978) Environmental systems: philosophy, analysis and control. Methuen, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Berry BJL (1991) Long-wave rhythms in economic development and political behaviour. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD

    Google Scholar 

  • Black P (2007) Big O notation. Dictionary of algorithms and data structures. Online at: http://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/bigOnotation.html Accessed: July 14, 2007

  • Boschma R, Martin R (2007) Editorial: constructing an evolutionary economic geography. J Econ Geogr 7:537–548

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burghes DN, Borrie MS (1981) Modelling with differential equations. Ellis Horwood, Chichester, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr N (2008) Is Google making us stupid? The Atlantic 302(1):56–63

    Google Scholar 

  • CERI (2002) Electricity price forecast for the Alberta integrated electrical system. Canadian Energy Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta

    Google Scholar 

  • Clayton D, Waters N (1999) Distributed knowledge, distributed processing, distributed users: integrating case based reasoning and GIS for multicriteria decision making In: Thill J-C (ed) Multicriteria decision-making and analysis: a geographic information sciences approach. Ashgate, Brookfield, USA, pp 275–308

    Google Scholar 

  • Cole H, Freeman C, Jahoda M et al. (1973) Thinking about the future: a critique of the limits to growth. Clark, Irwin and Co., Toronto

    Google Scholar 

  • Costanza R, Sklar F (1985) Articulation, accuracy, and effectiveness of mathematical models: a review of freshwater wetlands applications. Ecol Model 27(1):45–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costanza R, Voinov A (eds) (2004) Landscape simulation modelling: a spatially explicit dynamic approach. Springer, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Crow S (2000) Spatial modeling environments: integration of GIS and conceptual modeling frameworks. http://www.colorado.edu/research/cires/banff/pubpapers/2/

  • Doak J, Karadimitriou N (2007) (Re)development, complexity and networks: A framework for research. Urban Studies 44:#2, 209–229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • EMM (2008) Europe Media Monitor. http://emm.jrc.it/overview.html#labs;accessed July 14, 2008

  • Ford A (1999a) Modeling the Environment: an introduction to system dynamics modeling of environmental systems. Island Press, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Ford A (1999b) Cycles in competitive electricity markets: a simulation study of the Western United States. Energ Policy 27:637–658

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ford A (2001) Waiting for the boom: a simulation study of power plant construction in California. Energ Policy 29:847–869

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forrester JW (1971) World dynamics. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA

    Google Scholar 

  • Forrester JW (1991) System dynamics and the lesson of 35 years. Available at: http://sysdyn.clexchange.org/sdep/papers/D-4224–4.pdf

  • Fotheringham AS, Wilson JP (eds) (2007) The handbook of geographic information science. Blackwell, Oxford, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Gahegan M (2007) Mulitivariate geovisualization, Chap. 16 In: Fotheringham, Wilson (eds) The handbook of geographic information science. Blackwell, Oxford, UK, pp 292–316

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Geertz C (1973) The interpretation of cultures. Basic Books, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Geoffrion AM (1976) The purpose of mathematical programming is insight not numbers. Interfaces 7(1):81–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herremans L, Murch R, McKenzie J (2007) The realities and challenges of bringing global perspectives into the classroom through technology, Chap. 1. In: Cooke L (ed) Frontiers in higher education. Nova Publishers, Hauppauge, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Hicks JR (1939) Value and capital: an inquiry into some fundamental principles of economic theory. Clarendon Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • High Performance Systems (1990) STELLA II documentation. High Performance Systems, Hanover, NH

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirsh R (1999) Power loss: the origins of deregulation and restructuring in the American electric utility system. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA

    Google Scholar 

  • King LJ (1993) Book review of Berry, 1991, op. cit. Ann Assoc Am Geogr 83:175–177

    Google Scholar 

  • Li MX (2009) Predicting the pattern of votes in the 2006 Canadian Federal Election using socioeconomic variables in a multiple regression and geographically weighted regression. Unpublished MGIS Report, Department of Geography, University of Calgary

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorenz EN (1963) Deterministic nonperiodic flow. J Atmos Sci 20(2):130–141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lorenz EN (2002) Predictability – a problem partly solved, Chap 3 In: Palmer T, Hagedorn R (eds) Predictability of weather and climate. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Manson SM (2001) Simplifying complexity: a review of complexity theory. Geoforum 32: 405–414

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manson SM, O’Sullivan D (2006) Complexity theory in the study of space and place. Environ Plann A 38:677–692

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mass NJ (1991) Diagnosing surprise model behavior: a tool for evolving behavioral and policy insights (1981). Syst Dynam Rev 7:68–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mawa JU (2009) Modeling the 2006 Federal Election outcomes with census 2006 variables. Unpublished MGIS Report, Department of Geography, University of Calgary

    Google Scholar 

  • May RM (1976) Simple mathematical models with very complicated dynamics. Nature 261(5560):459–467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayer L (1990) An introduction to quantitative geomorphology. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ

    Google Scholar 

  • Meadows DH, Meadows DL, Randers J et al. (1972) The limits to growth. Universe Books, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Meadows DH, Meadows DL,Randers J (1992) Beyond the limits: confronting global collapse, envisioning a sustainable future. McClelland and Stewart, Toronto, Canada

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller HJ (2007) Geographic data mining and knowledge discovery. Chap 19 In: Wilson JP,Fotheringham AS (eds) Handbook of geographic information science. Blackwell, Oxford, UK, pp 352–366

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Miller HJ, Han J (2008) Geographic data mining and knowledge discovery, 2nd edn. Taylor and Francis, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Nijkamp P (2007) Comment, post workshop discussion. Institute Para Limes, Workshop, September 20–22, 2007, Lochem/Barchem, Holland

    Google Scholar 

  • Nijkamp P, Reggiani A (1995) Non-linear evolution of dynamic spatial systems: the relevance of chaos and ecologically based models. Reg Sci Urban Econ 25:183–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Sullivan D (2004) Complexity science and human geography. Trans Inst Br Geogr NS 29: 282–295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips JD (1999) Earth surface systems: complexity, order and scale. Blackwell, Malden, MA

    Google Scholar 

  • Postman N (1993) Technopoly. Knopf, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards A (2002) Complexity in physical geography. Geography 87(2):99–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Rockwell G (1999) Is humanities computing an academic discipline? Seminar presentation to a workshop of that name held at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, November, 1999. http://jefferson.village.virginia.edu/hcs/rockwell.html; last accessed July, 14, 2008

  • Schintler LA, Gorman SP, Reggiani A et al. (2005) Scale-free phenomena in communications networks: a cross-Atlantic comparison. In: Reggiani A, Schintler LA (eds) Methods and models in transport and telecommunications. Springer, Berlin, pp 201–220

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Seel KC (2004) ‘Boom and bust’ cycles in power plant construction: a simulation study of the temporal and geographical aspects of the Alberta competitive electrical industry. Unpublished PhD Dissertation. Department of Geography, University of Calgary

    Google Scholar 

  • Skupin A, Fabrikant SI (2007) Spatialization, Chap. 5. In: Fotheringham S and Wilson JP (eds) The handbook of geographic information science. Blackwell, Oxford, UK, pp 61–79

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Tanney J (2007) Gilbert Ryle. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ryle/;last accessed July 14, 2008

  • Thomas RW, Huggett RJ (1980) Modelling in geography: a mathematical approach. Harper & Row, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson M, Ellis R, Wildavsky A (1990) Cultural theory. Westview Press, Boulder, CO

    Google Scholar 

  • Vargish T (1980) Why the person sitting next to you hates limits to growth. Technol Forecast Soc Change 16:179–189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waldrop MM (1992) Complexity: the emerging science at the edge of order and chaos. Simon and Schuster, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Waters NM (2006) Network and nodal indices: measures of complexity and redundancy: a review, chap 2. In: Reggiani A, Nijkamp P (eds) Spatial dynamics, network and modelling. Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, UK and Northampton, MA, USA, pp 13–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Waters N (2009) The handbook of geographic information science, edited by John P. Wilson and A. Stewart Fotheringham. J Reg Sci 49 (2), 382–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Waters NM, Hansen CV, Sun H (2007) Web-based GIS to explore media influence and election processes. ESRI Users Conference, San Diego, August 2007; available online at: http://gis.esri.com/library/userconf/proc07/papers/papers/pap_1845.pdf

  • Watts PC (2001) Heresy? The case against deregulation of electricity generation. Electricity J 14(4):19–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson AG (1974) Urban and regional models in geography and planning. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson AG (1981) Catastrophe theory and bifurcation: applications to urban and regional systems. Croom Helm, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Wired Magazine (2008) The petabyte age. Wired, 16, #7, 106–121. http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/magazine/16–07/pb_intro;last accessed July 14, 2008

  • Wolfram S (2002) A new kind of science. Wolfram, Media Inc., Champaign, IL

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge helpful comments from an anonymous referee and assistance in the preparation of a number of the figures by Krystal Workman.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA

    Kevin Seel & Nigel Waters

Authors
  1. Kevin Seel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nigel Waters
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dipto. Scienze Economiche, Università di Bologna, Piazza Scaravilli 2, Bologna, 40126, Italy

    Aura Reggiani

  2. Dept. Spatial Economics, Free University, De Boelelaan 1105, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Netherlands

    Peter Nijkamp

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Seel, K., Waters, N. (2009). Complex, Adaptive Systems, Through Time and Across Space. In: Reggiani, A., Nijkamp, P. (eds) Complexity and Spatial Networks. Advances in Spatial Science. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-01554-0_14

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-01554-0_14

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-01553-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-01554-0

  • eBook Packages: Business and EconomicsEconomics and Finance (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation