The need for validation in geosimulation processes

Abstract

A review of the evolution of the spatial simulations and Geographical Information Technologies in the field of land use planning is presented. It is necessary to open a discussion about the development of appropriated validation methods to reinforce the confidence on the results of the geosimulation processes. The focus of the conference is on those prospective simulation models which results cannot be verified with real data. It is important on those cases, at least, assure the model’s robustness by measuring the output stability during model running (sensitivity analysis) and the exploration of the error effects in model results derived from uncertainty of input data (uncertainty analysis).

Revista Ciencias Espaciales, Volumen 8, Número 2 Otoño, 2015; 495-518