Simulations using the CA technique in geo-spatial modelling have been attempted in the recent times. However it is seen that CA models do not address the external driving factors that are also responsible for the dynamics involved directly. In order to confront the limitation of the CA models not interacting with the externalities driving the process, the integration of agent-based models over a CA model is more appropriate. Hence, the current research is aimed at the development of framework for integration of CA and agent-based models for simulations. For enabling the efficient integration of the CA models and agent-based models at appropriate scales in space and time, the research outlines the framework for undertaking such simulations. This is suggested using the proposed Geo-Spatial Analyser for space variant simulations and incorporating the HLA framework for time variant simulations.

The urban sprawl dynamics is considered for demonstrating the prototype of an agent-based model exhibiting radial urban sprawl. This reveals the pattern of growth that takes place under different scenarios. For the application of agent-based and cellular automata models for a real situation, the case of Mangalore city, Karnataka, India is considered and applied. The Mangalore city is currently experiencing high rates of urbanisation as evinced from the study. For a scenario of an infrastructure initiative like the creation of a ring road, the implications of this are depicted using the combination of agent-based and CA models. The simulations reveal the nature of likely growth in the region due to infrastructure initiative. This work has contributed in the development of the framework for integration of agent-based models and the CA models for undertaking geo-spatial simulations. The case of urban sprawl dynamics was considered and demonstrated using the combination of agents-based models with the CA model for visualising the patterns of growth in conjunction with the drivers of sprawl.

Keywords: Agent-based Models, Cellular Automata, Geo-spatial Simulations, High-Level Architecture and Urban Sprawl