The seminar will introduce a synthetic spatial model of the UK population. The talk is constructed around three themes. First, the rationale for the project will be reviewed. In an age where geographical scholarship continues to cherish that which is arcane and immaterial, this research champions the importance of geographical research which is applied, policy-relevant, empirical and quantitative. In the second part, an individual-based model is introduced, combining the methodologies of microsimulation, spatial interaction modelling and multi-agent systems. The extent to which it is possible to reproduce real-world behaviours, and to project such behaviours into the future will be discussed, from which the robustness and utility of the modelling approach is evaluated. Third, the model is applied to a variety of policy environments and scenarios, including practical examples from housing, health and social care.

Registration required:

No

Free:

Yes