Towards Patterns of Comfort: A Multilayered Model Based on Situated Multi-agent Systems

The paper presents the agent-based model we developed to study crowd dynamics in multi-cultural aggregation contexts. Social and cultural aspects (in particular derived from proxemics theory) are explicitly modeled in order to study the social network resulting from local spatial interactions and cultural differences. To this aim, an agent-based model based on SCA*PED (Situated Cellular Agents for PEdestrian Dynamics) is presented, where pedestrian dynamics result from the local interaction and behavior of an heterogeneous system of autonomous entities situated into a structured environment. The proposed model represents pedestrians' behaving according to local information and knowledge on two separated yet interconnected layers representing different aspects of the overall system dynamics (i.e. Spatial and Proxemic layer). The model explicitly represents on Proxemic layer how cultural differences can influence the perception of neighbors. The model is presented as a formal approach to study comfort properties in spaces where multicultural crowds share a limited structured environment. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.