The Moland Modelling Framework for Urban and Regional Land-Use Dynamics

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) has implemented the following elements for a growing and representative sample of cities and urbanised regions: (1) high resolution spatial databases of land-use change over approximately 40 years, (2) urban sustainability indicators, and (3) a modelling framework enabling the implementation of hybrid land-use models representing urban regions ranging from the single, average-sized city to complex hierarchies of cities. The core of the latter framework enables the configuration of dynamic spatial models operating at a macro- and a micro-geographical scale. Both levels are intimately linked and permit an integral and detailed representation of the evolving spatial system. The models are complemented with: a series of spatial indicators, tools for interactive design, analysis and evaluation of policy measures or scenarios and a set of routines enabling the semi-automatic calibration and validation of the applications developed.