Project information

• Category: Computational Design
• Client: University Project
• Project Year: 2019
• Project URL: Urban Move Paper

Transforming traditional urban observations into a technologically ubiquitous system.

Traditional observational methods of collecting urban data can be expensive, time consuming and labour intensive. Using agent-based simulations – entities which contains characteristics that can decide, and act based on its defined characteristics and context – we can simulate how people move through and use public spaces, which in turn can create significant shifts in how architectural and urban spaces are designed.

This matters not only because it removes the need for manual on-site observations but also offers designers simulated data-driven ways to design. Utilising an iterative action research approach, the method of investigation aims to test the process of analysing observational data in a communicable manner, providing contextualised information to help inform the agent-based simulation.

Real-time observational data is collected and contextualised in order to understand cultural norms to a space and mapping human behaviour. To inform and enhance the complexity of individual agents within the simulation in each iteration. The anticipated results from the simulations will show an increase in complex agent behaviour in the form of urban interactions, like that of the observational precedence. This will provide an efficient process for designers to use simulated movement data to facilitate in-depth knowledge of how it can help in urban and architectural decision making.