Controlling Complexity in Spatial Modelling

The present complexity approach is based on two assumptions: A1: measurability of deviations of outcomes with respect to reference values; A2 : extension of A1 to multi-set analysis. Complexity is then defined in terms of multi-set deviation compared to single-set ones; an interpretation is given in terms of information costs; examples show the relevance of the interpretation. As a useful by-product the explicit solution of the quadratic part of the discrete logistic ? one of the examples ? is derived; a set of pij-numbers is introduced, and a workable method for generating them exposed. Extensions are considered, in particular controllability. A further application is then proposed, namely to hypergraph conflict analysis, in particular conflict resolution. Many decisional conflicts at the spatial level can be axiomatised in this form; it is shown how the use of particular structures ? in the mathematical sense of that word ? of the problem allows of reducing greatly the degree of complexity of the problem, and hence the difficulty of finding a solution.Chaos, complexity, conflict, dynamics, hypergraphs, information

Controlling Complexity in Spatial Modelling

The present complexity approach is based on two assumptions: A1: measurability of deviations of outcomes with respect to reference values; A2 : extension of A1 to multi-set analysis. Complexity is then defined in terms of multi-set deviation compared to single-set ones; an interpretation is given in terms of information costs; examples show the relevance of the interpretation. As a useful by-product the explicit solution of the quadratic part of the discrete logistic ? one of the examples ? is derived; a set of pij-numbers is introduced, and a workable method for generating them exposed. Extensions are considered, in particular controllability. A further application is then proposed, namely to hypergraph conflict analysis, in particular conflict resolution. Many decisional conflicts at the spatial level can be axiomatised in this form; it is shown how the use of particular structures ? in the mathematical sense of that word ? of the problem allows of reducing greatly the degree of complexity of the problem, and hence the difficulty of finding a solution

On Diffusion of Ideas in the Academic World: the Case of Spatial Econometrics

Spatial econometrics is a fast-growing field in the series of quantitative disciplines, auxiliaries of economics and related social sciences. Space, friction, interdependence, spatiotemporal components, externalities and many other aspects interact and should be treated adequately in this field. The publication of the Paelinck and Klaassen book in the late 1970s generated virtually the field spatial econometrics This article studies the diffusion of spatial econometrics, through experienced history on the one hand, on the other through bibliometric methods. Although this field was an “Invisible College” up to 2006 (absence of any organization in form of association, conference, journal, etc.), the databases depict a fast diffusion in the past and strong prospects for the future.

Spatial-Structural Relations among Technology Industrial Clusters: A Comparative Analysis of Metropolitan Regions in the U.S

Technical industrial clusters are defined and analyzed for a sample of U.S. metropolitan regions. Economic structure, spatial proximity and shape of the clusters are examined across the metropolitan regions through various economic and spatial measures and statistics. The data for this research are used to test the hypothesis that close spatial proximity results in stronger economic functional interdependence. This hypothesis is examined and the implications of the test are explored.

A bilinear programming solution to the quadratic assignment problem

The quadratic assignment problem (QAP) or maximum acyclical graph problem is well documented (see e.g. Pardalos and Wolkowicz, 1994). One of the authors has published some material, in which it was tried, by structuring the problem additionally, to bring it as closely as possible in the neighbourhood of a binary solution (seePaelinck, 1983, pp. 251-256 and 273-277); good but not optimal solutions could so be obtained (see Paelinck, 1985, pp. 247-254). The problem is taken up again here, in the same spirit but at the same time in a different vein.maximal acyclical graph;quadratic assignment problem QAP

Modèles de politique économique multirégionale basés sur l’analyse d’attraction

Classical regional and multiregional models were limited in scope and usefulness as they failed to integrate explicitly locational factors, especially on the supply side.

Spatial-Structural Relations among Technology Industrial Clusters: A Comparative Analysis of Metropolitan Regions in the U.S

Technical industrial clusters are defined and analyzed for a sample of U.S. metropolitan regions. Economic structure, spatial proximity and shape of the clusters are examined across the metropolitan regions through various economic and spatial measures and statistics. The data for this research are used to test the hypothesis that close spatial proximity results in stronger economic functional interdependence. This hypothesis is examined and the implications of the test are explored

Towards cost-efficient prospection and 3D visualization of underwater structures using compact ROVs

The deployment of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) for underwater prospection and 3D visualization has grown significantly in civil applications for a few decades. The demand for a wide range of optical and physical parameters of underwater environments is explained by an increasing complexity of the monitoring requirements of these environments. The prospection of engineering constructions (e.g. quay walls or enclosure doors) and underwater heritage (e.g. wrecks or sunken structures) heavily relies on ROV systems. Furthermore, ROVs offer a very flexible platform to measure the chemical content of the water. The biggest bottleneck of currently available ROVs is the cost of the systems. This constrains the availability of ROVs to a limited number of companies and institutes. Fortunately, as with the recent introduction of cost-efficient Unmanned Aerial Vehicles on the consumer market, a parallel development is expected for ROVs. The ability to participate in this new field of expertise by building Do It Yourself (DIY) kits and by adapting and adding on-demand features to the platform will increase the range of this new technology. In this paper, the construction of a DIY OpenROV kit and its implementation in bathymetric research projects are elaborated. The original platform contains a modified webcam for visual underwater prospection and a Micro ElectroMechanical System (MEMS) based depth sensor, allowing relative positioning. However, the performance of the standard camera is limited and an absolute positioning system is absent. It is expected that 3D visualizations with conventional photogrammetric qualities are limited with the current system. Therefore, modifications to improve the standard platform are foreseen, allowing the development of a cost-efficient underwater platform. Preliminary results and expectations on these challenges are reported in this paper