ARHIV DRUŽBOSLOVNIH PODATKOV

Computer visualisation is central to the social sciences both in terms of the way large data sets are explored and the communication of results to those we seek to influence and inform.

Visualisation is essential to make sense of very large geographic data sets quickly, and where it is necessary to predict many alternative spatial patterns, and where the system is too complex to reduce all analysis to numbers.

We will illustrate three different ways of understanding geographic patterns in space and time.

We show traditional methods for urban simulation we're working on, which are based on land use transport modelling but entirely through visual interfaces that enable us to visualise the inputs and outputs of the models geographically at any stage of their calibration and prediction.

Following on we'll show you a rather different style of modelling showing how we can increase our knowledge through iconic digital models based on 3D GIS and CAD, illustrating how we can assemble and interpret urban form through distributions of buildings using our Virtual London model.

Lastly we'll demonstrate how patterns such as residential land use at the macro level can occur through the actions of individuals at the micro scale, for this we turn to agent-based modelling. A series of examples from the evacuation of a building to traffic jams will be given before turning to how we communicate such models to the masses through the use of Web 2.0 technologies, especially that of Second Life.