Simulation of Compact Cities Based on the Integration of Cellular Automata and GIS

This paper presents a CA model for the simulation of compact development using different kinds of constraints. CA have the capabilities to explore various urban forms with regard to different economic and environmental settings. The proper configuration of CA models is important to the formation of plausible global simulation patterns which can achieve urban sustainability. Three types of constraints have been considered — urban structures, environmental suitability and density control. Non-linear transformation of the constraints can be devised to discriminate various spatial patterns for the simulation. The CA model can generate the fractal structures by properly defining the size of stochastic disturbance. The simulation has further provided the evidences that actual land development in the study area is in a chaotic pattern.