2:50 - 4:10 PM | Room 106

Collaborative Modeling in Urban Design: Parametric Design Games

Nastaran Tebyanian
Pennsylvania State University

We investigate the potentials of parametric design games for participatory urban design. We first study design games in the works of Hester (1990), Sanoff (1979), and Habarken (1987), and focus on relevant considerations in designing design games. Second, we discuss potentials and limitations of parametric tools for collaborative modeling of design games in different stages of design process. Using Grasshopper, a collaborative parametric model of a small plaza has been created as the baseline for the analysis. Lastly, we provide recommendations for designing a parametric design game as a platform for participation.

Evolutionary Multi-Criterion Optimization Techniques to Optimal Agro-Ecosystem Modeling and Solutions

Deb Kalyanmoy, Alvin Smucker, Andrey Guber, and Pouyan Nejadhashemi
Michigan State University

Since the early nineties, evolutionary multi-criterion optimization (EMO) methodologies have gained increasing popularity in many engineering, scientific, and commercial problems to find multiple trade-off solutions in multi-objective optimization problems. The MSU SWRT is a precision-based subsurface water retention technology that remediates unnecessary deep leaching and groundwater contamination. Recently, we made a first-ever, innovative application of EMO to precision irrigation systems to develop irrigation strategies for the most efficient use of water. The interdisciplinary application of a computational optimization algorithm to an SWRT-based precision irrigation system provides solutions for efficient use of water and energy across changing climates in a sustainable manner.

The Role of Social Influence Processes and Diverse Collaborative Networks on Systemic Change

Pennie Foster-Fishman and I-Chen Chien
Michigan State University

The past 10 years have witnessed a burgeoning effort in systems building within the early childhood field. These efforts aim to create an integrated and quality system designed to support the child and family. They typically involve the development of local collaboratives designed to increase access to care, build a continuum of quality programming, promote service integration, and promote family voice. Most often, this system building work requires significant change at the organizational and network level. At the organization level, local nonprofits and public sector organizations need to shift their policies and practices and adopt new innovations to support these efforts. Using a longitudinal data base that includes social network data on 54 early childhood collaboratives in one state, this presentation describes the role of social influence and network diversity on promoting the adoption and implementation of policy and practice change within participating organizations.