In this paper the relationship is analysed between Forrester's systems dynamics and Prigogine's dissipative structures as methodologies for socioeconomic systems modeling. To obtain nonhomogeneous equilibrium states (a dissipative structure) a classical elementary systems dynamics model is...

Design is regarded here as the generation of a language of designs from a grammar. We consider the application of context sensitive grammars to design. Meaning in design is equated with purposeful design activity where mechanisms are devised for finding states which match goals. Regression is...

Telford is a new town in the West Midlands Region of the United Kingdom. Since designation in 1968 considerable physical, economic, and social change has taken place. Four information systems have been developed to monitor this change. It is argued that information systems must be flexible,...

Economic theories of labor supply and labor demand are modified, and a dynamic unemployment model is developed. The new model is used to analyze dynamic impacts of transportation policies on rural unemployment. Preliminary results indicate that improved transportation services can increase job...

In this paper a general framework is discussed within which a municipal authority can assess future needs for certain public services within its area and can develop a programme for land purchase within a fixed budget. Concentration is on developing an optimising model, using mixed integer...

The application of sequential planning to the design process is discussed, considering design as a search through a space of states which are acted upon by transformation rules. Various approaches to goal satisfaction are considered, including forward inference, regression, the satisfaction of...

The Gateshead Shopping and Information Service (SIS) is an unusual experiment in computerised 'home shopping' in that it is oriented to disadvantaged consumers (mainly the elderly and disabled) rather than to affluent sections of the population. The immediate objectives are to explore the...

In this paper a new framework for planning in the National Health Service is described. The approach is centred around the idea of providing adequate information for planning and decisionmaking. First the types of problems currently faced by District Health Authorities and the implications for...