Space and complexities of territorial systems

TL;DR

This paper explores the various types of complexity in territorial systems, combining theoretical insights with numerical experiments on urban models to understand their multidimensional and emergent properties.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework for understanding ontological and emergent complexity in territorial systems and demonstrates this through numerical experiments on urban morphogenesis models.

Findings

Different types of complexity can be exhibited in territorial system models

Numerical experiments reveal properties of dynamical complexity and co-evolution

Proposes additional dimensions of complexity for territorial systems

Abstract

The spatial character of territorial systems plays a crucial role in the emergence of their complexities. This contribution aims at illustrating to what extent different types of complexities can be exhibited in models of such systems. We develop from a theoretical viewpoint some arguments illustrating ontological complexity, in the sense of the diversity and multidimensionality of possible representations, and then complexity in the sense of emergence, i.e. the necessity of the existence of several autonomous levels. We then propose numerical experiments to explore properties of complexity (dynamical complexity and co-evolution) within two simple models of urban morphogenesis. We finally suggest other dimensions of complexity which could be typical of territorial systems.