Evolution of Cities

Trees in the grid represent undeveloped land, and buildings represent urban development. In this model the probability of development of any square depends on the distance from the city center, and how many of the neighboring squares are already developed.

Press the button to watch the "city" develop. Does the pattern resemble the shape of real cities?

When you press "run/stop" when the program is running it will stop and clear the grid, except for the original city center. Press again to run the program again.

Reference: Ball, P. (1999) The Self-Made Tapestry: Pattern Formation in Nature. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Ch. 9.