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Abstract
Natural and social systems are the subject of many studies aimed at understanding their characteristic dynamics and functioning. These systems are characterized by a great variety of interaction between their components and by the fact that often, at different levels, collective phenomena give rise to emergent properties. Simulation, that creates an abstraction of a system as it evolve through time, is a particularly appropriate methodology for studying systems that are inaccessible through direct observation and measurement, either because they cannot be reproduced or because they cannot be directly experimented with. Since such systems may be conceptually described in terms of interacting entities endowed with a certain autonomy in a spatial environment, Multi-agent systems simulation have come to the fore in recent times as a relevant modelling approach.
I propose to present and discuss lessons learned through several projects of modelling performed in Reunion Island, a french overseas department of 2512 square kilometers in the Western Indian Ocean which lead a project on a global scale to achieve energy self-sufficiency by 2030. The Island’s format is perfectly suited to conduct simulation experiments due to its characteristics: it is a small multiethnic territory with a fast growing population and many geographic constraints, but also many opportunities in sustainable development and requires that any decision should be based on a spatially explicit understanding of complex ecological systems and their interactions with social systems. Two applications will be especially presented, one dedicated to the collective management of agricultural biomass and a second on the management on land-use planning driven by the population dynamics and its distribution on the territory.
Biography
Rémy Courdier is full professor in the Computer Science and Mathematics Research Laboratory (EA2525-LIM/IREMIA) of the University of Reunion Islands, France.
His research interests include design of simulation applications using multi agents systems and infrastructures required for their use. Rémy Courdier originally studied in Nice Sophia-Antipolis University (France) and then worked in the IT industry as a Research & Development engineer. After working at Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in Geneva, he managed several R&D innovative Projects at Schneider PLC Laboratories in Sophia-Antipolis and received the Ph.D. degree in computer science from Nice Sophia-Antipolis University (France) in 1993. He returned to a full academia activity in 1996 as assistant Professor at the University of Reunion Island’s.
He defended an accreditation to supervise researches projects and teams (HDR) in 2003. From 2003 to 2007, Rémy was Head of the Applied Mathematics & Computer Sciences Research Institute of the University of Reunion Islands before becoming Director of the IT Department of the Reunion Island & Indian Ocean Engineering School since 2008.