A comparison of simple models for urban morphogenesis

Abstract: The spatial distribution of population and activities within urban areas, or urban form at the mesoscopic scale, is the outcome of multiple antagonist processes. We propose in this paper to benchmark different models of urban morphogenesis, to systematically compare the urban forms they can produce. Different types of approaches are included, such as a reaction-diffusion model, a gravity-based model, and correlated percolation. Applying a diversity search algorithm, we estimate the feasible space of each model within a space of urban form indicators, in comparison of empirical values for worldwide urban areas. We find a complementarity of the different types of processes, advocating for a plurality of urban models.