Owen, A orcid.org/0000-0002-1240-9319 and Heppenstall, AJ orcid.org/0000-0002-0663-3437 (2020) Making the case for simulation: Unlocking carbon reduction through simulation of individual ‘middle actor’ behaviour. Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science, 47 (3). pp. 457-472. ISSN 2399-8083
Abstract
This paper makes the case for agent-based modelling as a route to unlocking the potential of existing buildings to reduce energy demand and contribute to achieving carbon reduction targets. The construction of a model to simulate this system requires significant innovation in data collection and handling. The need to focus on ‘middle actors’ in construction – specifically the tradesmen who carry out repair, maintenance and renovation – in order to reduce energy demand in existing buildings is described. This is the first work that proposes to simulate these actors. After identifying this opportunity, the paper considers what modelling techniques are required to describe the possible effects of changes to middle actor behaviour across the construction industry. Having discussed the different types of data needed, the paper uses the ‘overview, design, detail’ approach to describe how an agent-based model might be developed, using rule sets derived from middle actor data. Finally, the types of interventions that might be tested are outlined, indicating how policy and practice could be informed by the proposed modelling approach.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | (c) The Author(s) 2018. This is an author produced version of a paper accepted for publication in Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | energy retrofit; middle actors; construction; agent based modelling; spatial network modelling |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Earth and Environment (Leeds) > Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) (Leeds) The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Geography (Leeds) > Centre for Spatial Analysis & Policy (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 04 Jun 2018 14:47 |
Last Modified: | 27 Mar 2020 15:14 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | SAGE Publications |
Identification Number: | 10.1177/2399808318784597 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:131529 |