The Dynamics of Complex Urban Systems An Interdisciplinary Approach
The present book outlines a conceptual framework for modelling and forecasting the dynamics of both growth-limited cities and megacities bringing together experts from several disciplines. The interdisciplinary point of view is particularly stressed. The
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Sergio Albeverio · Denise Andrey Paolo Giordano · Alberto Vancheri (Editors)
The Dynamics of Complex Urban Systems An Interdisciplinary Approach
Physica-Verlag A Springer Company
Professor Dr. Dr.h.c. Sergio Albeverio Institute for Applied Mathematics University of Bonn Germany [email protected] and Università della Svizzera Italiana Accademia di Architettura Via Canavée 6850 Mendrisio Switzerland [email protected] Denise Andrey Paolo Giordano Dr. Alberto Vancheri Università della Svizzera Italiana Accademia di Architettura Via Canavée 6850 Mendrisio Switzerland [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Library of Congress Control Number: 2007935584
ISBN 978-3-7908-1936-6 Physica-Verlag Heidelberg New York This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilm or in any other way, and storage in data banks. Duplication of this publication or parts thereof is permitted only under the provisions of the German Copyright Law of September 9, 1965, in its current version, and permission for use must always be obtained from Physica-Verlag. Violations are liable to prosecution under the German Copyright Law. Physica-Verlag is a part of Springer Science+Business Media springer.com © Physica-Verlag Heidelberg and Accademia di Architettura, Mendrisio, Switzerland, 2008 The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. Production: LE-TEX Jelonek, Schmidt & Vöckler GbR, Leipzig Cover-design: WMX Design GmbH, Heidelberg SPIN 11951896
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Preface In recent years it has become increasingly clear that the dynamics of cities can be best captured by looking at them as complex systems governed by many degrees of freedom, interacting on different space and time scales in a non-linear fashion. The evolution of cities is shaped by internal factors, e.g. decisions taken by institutions and individuals, external causes (international economic context) and by social development. The underlying processes can be slow or fast, acting locally or globally. At a different level, both European cities and megacities are magnets for immigrants (e.g. countries, which have major economical and political problems), leading often to phenomena like marginalization or even ghettization and segregation. They are also hotbeds of economic, political and cultural activity, giving rise, among other things, to relocation and conversion of industries, revaluation of land, and development of new services. These phenomena as qualitative changes, are opposed to purely quantitative growth processes. They are far from being fully understood, nor they are captured in validat
