Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
17
Framework for Spatial Models for Future
Cities
Tschangho John Kim
Abstract
The chapter is to reflect Professor Walter Isard's scientific reasoning and
contributions to formulating spatial models for urban and regional systems and
to shed light on developing a framework for spatial modeling for future cities.
We need alternative spatial models for cities and regions more than ever now in
light of rapidly changing socio-economic and environmental challenges that we
have been confronted with and more to face in the near future. Among others,
I would identify the following four major recent developments that force us to
consider alternative spatial models:
(a) Rapid growth of Global Urbanization
(b) Unlimited computing capability
(c) Pervasive use of instantly available Information and Communication tools
(d) Shift from Personal to Communal Ownership of Automobiles
Thus, the goal of this chapter is to shed light on developing framework
for alternative spatial models for future cities and regions in the same spirit as
what Isard advocated more than a half century ago (Isard, Location and
space-economy, The MIT Press, Cambridge, 1956; Isard, Methods of regional
analysis: an introduction to regional science, The MIT Press, Cambridge and
Wiley, New York, 1960), and yet still inspiring us to undertake these changes
and challenges.
