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A Review of Microsimulation and Hybrid Agent-Based Approaches

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Agent-Based Models of Geographical Systems

Abstract

In this chapter we introduce an approach to individual based modelling of social and economic systems. Microsimulation models (MSM) appear similar to ABM through the representation of individual decision-making units, but there is a significant variation of emphasis between the two approaches. MSM are typically stochastic or rule-based, and with a strong applied policy focus. These characteristics are explored and elaborated through a number of examples. While MSM are often very rich in their representation of ‘structures’, ABM are usually better tuned to the analysis of ‘behaviours’. We therefore argue that there is a strong logic to considering the MSM and ABM approaches as complementary and to begin a search for hybrids which might combine the best features of both approaches.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK

    Mark Birkin & Belinda Wu

Authors
  1. Mark Birkin
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  2. Belinda Wu
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Correspondence to Mark Birkin .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geography, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom

    Alison J. Heppenstall

  2. , Department of Computational Social Scien, George Mason University, University Drive 4400, Fairfax, 22030, Virginia, USA

    Andrew T. Crooks

  3. International Institute of Applied Syste, Schlossplatz 1, Laxenburg, 2361, Austria

    Linda M. See

  4. Ctr. Advanced Spatial Analysis, University College London, Torrington Place 1-19, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom

    Michael Batty

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Birkin, M., Wu, B. (2012). A Review of Microsimulation and Hybrid Agent-Based Approaches. In: Heppenstall, A., Crooks, A., See, L., Batty, M. (eds) Agent-Based Models of Geographical Systems. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8927-4_3

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