Complexity and Spatial Networks: In Search of Simplicity (Advances in Spatial Science) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 3642015530 ISBN 13: 9783642015533

Publisher: Springer, 2009

Synopsis

Complex systems analysis has become a fascinating topic in modern research on non-linear dynamics, not only in the physical sciences but also in the life sciences and the social sciences. After the era of bifurcation theory, chaos theory, syn- getics, resilience analysis, network dynamics and evolutionary thinking, currently we observe an increasing interest in critical transitions of dynamic real-world systems in many disciplines, such as demography, biology, psychology, economics, earth sciences, geology, seismology, medical sciences, and so on. The relevance of this approach is clearly re?ected in such phenomena as traf?c congestion, ?nancial crisis, ethnic con?icts, eco-system breakdown, health failures, etc. This has prompted a world-wide interest in complex systems. Geographical space is one of the playgrounds for complex dynamics, as is witnessed by population movements, transport ?ows, retail developments, urban expansion, lowland ?ooding and so forth. All such dynamic phenomena have one feature in common: the low predictability of uncertain interrelated events occurring at different interconnected spatio-temporal scale levels and often originating from different disciplinary backgrounds. The study of the associated non-linear (fast and slow) dynamic transition paths calls for a joint research effort of scientists from different disciplines in order to understand the nature, the roots and the con- quences of unexpected or unpredictable changes in complex spatial systems.

About this title

From the Back Cover

This book offers a panoramic view of recent advances in spatial complexity, in order to enhance our understanding of complex spatial networks by simplicity in terms of both the basic driving forces of systemic impacts and the modelling of such systems. Simple models mapping out the evolution of complex networks are undoubtedly a key issue in spatial economic research. In exploring this untrodden ground, this volume pursues new interdisciplinary pathways for theoretical, methodological and empirical analysis in the complex interconnected space-economy. It highlights ‘evolutionary’ directions and ‘unifying’ perspectives in this fascinating research field.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3642015530
• ISBN 13: 9783642015533
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 298
• Editor: Reggiani Aura, Nijkamp Peter