Cities Flashcards
When did Systems Theory emerge?
1960s
What systems does System Theory cover?
Living systems - animals
Mechanical systems - engines
Physical systems - hydrology, weather
Human systems - cities
What does Systems Theory argue?
A set of common processes can be observed in all four different systems
What is a ‘System?’
Object of study which is a collection of components many of which are related to each other
Cities in a national/global economy is an example of
Components that are coupled to or interact to other systems outside the system of interest
A closed system has…
…no relationships with the external world
An example of a closed system is…
…a car engine
Endogenous
…having an internal cause or origin
Exogenous
…having an external cause or origin
Enitation
Definition of the basic entities in the system we are trying to understand (e.g basic living systems = brain, cardiovascular system, kidneys etc.)
Aggregation
Level of resolution at which we try to represent things in order to understand how things work
Negative feedback
System controls itself so it remains in some state of equilibrium
Positive feedback
System = essentially unstable. Think about an inner city area where quality of life deteriorates, people who can will move out leading to further deterioration
Positive feedback in a city
Inner city area - quality of life deteriorates - people who can will move out - further deterioration
Many socio-economic systems are…
…non linear systems because a change in one variable can lead to a disproportionate change in another (e.g. interest rates & house prices)
