SPATIAL DYNAMICS, CELLULAR-AUTOMATA, AND PARALLEL-PROCESSING COMPUTERS

The model presented in this paper is an attempt to reexamine spatial d ynamics in the light of new concepts and techniques. Among these, cell ular automata and parallel processing should contribute to revitalize dynamical studies in the geographical space and deserve consideration. A complete modeling framework is first discussed; then a model consis ting of a cellular automaton associated with several distributive func tions is described. This model, applied to the von Thunen scheme, show s that a distance function combined with a strong neighborhood effect could produce patterns similar to that expected under the conditions o f the classical von Thunen model.