Following Batty and Wegener, academics have identified several challenges facing traditional urban modelling paradigms that limit their wider operational use by urban planners. This situation has led to a recent paradigm shift in urban modelling, based on four principles: (1) theory-based generative modelling rather than extrapolation, (2) constraint-led rather than preference-driven modelling, (3) plausibility analysis rather than predictive modelling and (4) back-casting rather than forecasting. In order to be useful to urban planners, this new generation of models needs to address key characteristics of modern urban planning: (1) the complexity of urban processes and their responses to policies, (2) the multi-dimensional nature of urban planning's focus and outcomes, (3) the necessity to deliver plausible futures for cities and (4) the increasing demand for participative policy-making in democratic societies. Urban transportation is a prime example of the need for new modelling approaches as it moves away from the traditional dualism between private and public transport to embrace a mix of various service models, such as car/bikesharing, ridesharing, and shared autonomous vehicles. Indeed, these new services raise issues with modelling as trip and resource scheduling become more complex. In particular, these new urban transportation models have to provide: (1) innovative approaches to simulating new mobility services, (2) a better integration of innovative mobility services with more "traditional" forms of transportation and (3) a better understanding of the effects of innovative mobility services, in particular infrastructure and energy implications.
This session will give careful consideration to papers describing modelling approaches and scenario evaluations that address at least one of the issues listed above. We encourage case-based studies as long as they lend themselves to potential theoretical advances. We also welcome positioning papers in the field of urban or transportation modelling in the context of urban planning. Selected papers will be offered opportunities to be extended for publications in scientific journals later on.