UrbanSim
Simulation and analytics for sustainable urban development.
Overview
UrbanSim is a simulation platform designed to aid planners and analysts in understanding the interactions between land use, transportation, the economy, and the environment. It models the choices of households and businesses and how these choices shape urban development over decades. It is used by metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and other agencies for long-range scenario planning.
✨ Key Features
- Long-range Urban Growth Simulation
- Land Use and Transportation Interaction Modeling
- Real Estate and Housing Market Simulation
- Agent-based Modeling (households, firms)
- Open Source and Extensible Platform
- Scenario Analysis and Comparison
- Data Visualization and Analytics
🎯 Key Differentiators
- Focus on long-term, integrated land use-transportation modeling.
- Agent-based approach provides a more behaviorally realistic simulation.
- Open-source nature allows for customization and transparency.
Unique Value: Provides a powerful framework for exploring the complex, long-term consequences of planning and policy decisions, helping cities to grow more sustainably and equitably.
🎯 Use Cases (5)
✅ Best For
- Forecasting land development patterns under different zoning policies over a 30-year horizon.
- Simulating the impact of a new rail line on household location choices and property values.
- Analyzing how carbon taxes might influence urban form and travel behavior.
💡 Check With Vendor
Verify these considerations match your specific requirements:
- Small-scale site design
- 3D visualization
- Microscopic traffic simulation
🏆 Alternatives
Offers a more dynamic and behaviorally rich simulation of urban systems compared to traditional four-step travel models or static land-use allocation models.
💻 Platforms
✅ Offline Mode Available
🔌 Integrations
🛟 Support Options
- ✓ Email Support
- ✓ Dedicated Support (Enterprise Services tier)
💰 Pricing
Free tier: The core software is open source and free.
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