Book

An interesting new book but Alison Heppenstall, Andrew Crooks, Linda See and Mike Batty
"Agent-Based Model of Geographical Systems"

as stated on Andrew Crooks' blog 'GIS and agent-based modelling':

[the book] brings together a comprehensive set of papers on the background, theory, technical issues and applications of agent-based modelling (ABM) within geographical systems. This collection of papers (see below) is an invaluable reference point for the experienced agent-based modeller as well those new to the area. Specific geographical issues such as handling scale and space are dealt with as well as practical advice from leading experts about designing and creating ABMs, handling complexity, visualising and validating model outputs. With contributions from many of the world’s leading research institutions (see map below), the latest applied research (micro and macro applications) from around the globe exemplify what can be achieved in geographical context.

This book is relevant to researchers, postgraduate and advanced undergraduate students, and professionals in the areas of quantitative geography, spatial analysis, spatial modelling, social simulation modelling and geographical information sciences.

Book Contents:

Part 1: Computational Modelling: Techniques for Simulating Geographical Systems

1. Perspectives on Agent-Based Models and Geographical Systems.
2. A Generic Framework for Computational Spatial Modelling.
3. A Review of Microsimulation and Hybrid Agent Based Approach.
4. Cellular Automata in Urban Spatial Modelling.
5. Introduction to Agent-Based Modelling.

Part 2: Principles and Concepts of Agent-Based Modelling.

6. Agent-Based Models - Because they're Worth it?
7. Agent-Based Modelling and Complexity.
8. Designing and Building an Agent-Based Model.
9. Modelling Human Behaviour in Agent-Based Models.
10. Calibration and Validation of Agent-Based Models of Land Cover Change.
11. Networks in Agent-Based Social Simulation.

Part 3: Methods, Techniques and Tools for the Design and Construction of Agent-Based Models: 

12. The Integration of Agent-Based Modelling and Geographical Information for Geospatial Simulation.
13. Space in Agent-Based Models.-
14. Large Scale Agent-Based Modelling: A Review and Guidelines for Model Scaling.
15. Uncertainty and Error.-
16. Agent-Based Extensions to a Spatial Microsimulation Model of Demographic Change.
17. Designing, Formulating, and Communicating Agent-Based Models.-
18. Agent Tools Techniques and Methods for Macro and Microscopic Simulation.

Part 4: Fine-Scale, Micro Applications of Agent-Based Models: 

19. Using Agent-Based Models to Simulate Crime.
20. Urban Geosimulation.
21. Applied Pedestrian Modelling.
22. Business Applications and Research Questions using Spatial Agent-Based Models.
23. Using Agent-Based Models for Education Planning. Is the UK Education System Agent Based?
24. Simulating Spatial Health Inequalities.
25. ABM of Residential Mobility, Housing Choice and Regeneration.-
26. Do Land Markets Matter? A Modelling Ontology and Experimental Design to Test the Effects of Land Markets for an Agent-Based Model of Ex-urban Residential Land-Use Change.
27. Exploring Coupled Housing and Land Market Interactions Through an Economic Agent-Based Model (CHALMS).

Part 5: Linking Agent-Based Models to Aggregate Applications Macro:

28. Exploring Urban Dynamics in Latin American Cities using an Agent-Based Simulation Approach.
29. An Agent-Based/Network Approach to Spatial Epidemics.
30. An Agent-Based Modelling Application of Shifting Cultivation.
31. Towards New Metrics for Urban Road Networks. Some Preliminary Evidence from Agent-Based Simulations.
32. A Logistic Based Cellular Automata Model for Continuous Urban Growth Simulation: A Case Study of the Gold Coast City, Australia.
33. Exploring Demographic and Lot Effects in an ABM/LUCC of Agriculture in the Brazilian Amazon.
34. Beyond Zipf: An Agent Based Understanding of City Size Distributions.
35. The Relationship of Dynamic Entropy Maximising and Agent Based Approaches in Urban Modelling.
36. Multi-Agent System Modelling for Urban Systems: The Series of SIMPOP Models.
37. Reflections and Conclusions: Geographical Models to Address Grand Challenges

Looks particularly interesting but I'll be waiting to hear a few more reviews before I take the plunge and buy it on impulse. Very interesting though....