DESCRIPTION

Module r.futures.pga is part of FUTURES land change model. This module uses stochastic Patch-Growing Algorithm (PGA) and a combination of field-based and object-based representations to simulate land changes. PGA simulates undeveloped to developed land change by iterative site selection and a contextually aware region growing mechanism. Simulations of change at each time step feed development pressure back to the POTENTIAL submodel, influencing site suitability for the next step.

Patch growing

Patches are constructed in three steps. First, a potential seed is randomly selected from available cells. In case seed_search is 2, the probability value (based on POTENTIAL) of the seed is tested using Monte Carlo approach, and if it doesn't survive, new potential seed is selected and tested. Second, using a 4- or 8-neighbor (see num_neighbors) search rule PGA grows the patch. PGA decides on the suitability of contiguous cells based on their underlying development potential and distance to the seed adjusted by compactness parameter given in compactness_mean and compactness_range. The size of the patch is determined by randomly selecting a patch size from patch sizes file and multiplied by discount_factor. To find optimal values for patch sizes and compactness, use module r.futures.calib. Once a cell is converted, it remains developed. PGA continues to grow patches until the per capita land demand is satisfied.

Development pressure

Development pressure is a dynamic spatial variable derived from the patch-building process of PGA and associated with the POTENTIAL submodel. At each time step, PGA updates the POTENTIAL probability surface based on land change, and the new development pressure then affects future land change. The initial development pressure is computed using module r.futures.devpressure. The same input parameters of this module (gamma, scaling factor and n_dev_neighbourhood) are then used as input for r.futures.pga.

Scenarios

Scenarios involving policies that encourage infill versus sprawl can be explored using the incentive_power parameter, which uses a power function to transform the probability in POTENTIAL.

Figure: Transforming development potential surface using incentive tables with different power functions.

Figure: Effect of incentive table on development probability: infill (left), status quo (middle), sprawl (right) scenario.

Additionally, parameter constrain_weight (raster map from 0 to 1) enables to include policies (such as new regulations or fees) which limit the development in certain areas. The probability surface is simply multiplied by the constrain_weight values, which results in decreased site suitability in areas, where the constrain_weight values are lower than 1.

Similarly, parameter stimulus (raster map from 0 to 1) enables to include policies to encourage growth in an area. Using this option results in increased site suitability in areas, where the stimulus values are greater than 0. The probability surface is transformed from initial probability p with stimulus s to p + s - p * s.

Output

After the simulation ends, raster specified in parameter output is written. If optional parameter output_series is specified, additional output is a series of raster maps for each step. Cells with value 0 represents the initial development, values >= 1 then represent the step in which the cell was developed. Undeveloped cells have value -1.

Figure: Output map of developed areas

Figure: Detail of output map

EXAMPLE

r.futures.pga -s developed=lc96 predictors=d2urbkm,d2intkm,d2rdskm,slope \
  demand=demand.txt devpot_params=devpotParams.csv discount_factor=0.6 \
  compactness_mean=0.4 compactness_range=0.08 num_neighbors=4 seed_search=2 \
  patch_sizes=patch_sizes.txt development_pressure=gdp n_dev_neighbourhood=10 \
  development_pressure_approach=gravity gamma=2 scaling_factor=1 \
  subregions=subregions incentive_power=2 \
  constrain_weight=weight_1 output=final_results output_series=development

KNOWN ISSUES

Module holds all data in the memory, so for large areas the memory requirements are high. Some inputs are not yet documented.

REFERENCES

SEE ALSO

FUTURES, r.futures.devpressure, r.futures.calib, r.futures.demand, r.futures.potential, r.futures.parallelpga, r.sample.category

AUTHORS

Corresponding author:
Ross K. Meentemeyer, rkmeente ncsu edu, Center for Geospatial Analytics, NCSU

Original standalone version:
Ross K. Meentemeyer *
Wenwu Tang *
Monica A. Dorning *
John B. Vogler *
Nik J. Cunniffe *
Douglas A. Shoemaker *
Jennifer A. Koch **

* Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, UNC Charlotte
** Center for Geospatial Analytics, NCSU

Port to GRASS GIS and GRASS-specific additions:
Vaclav Petras, NCSU OSGeoREL

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