Understanding Vertical Urban Development in Changing the Spatial Movement of Residents Using Agent-based Modelling Approach

Abstract. Vertical urban development (VUD) flourishes in various cities that pursue the vision of a compact and sustainable urban development. The implementations of VUD have yielded positive impacts for both the government and the public by reducing the transport cost for residents and increasing accessibility. Despite implementation of VUD offering various advantages in urban planning, the majority of past urban models represent urban growth as an expansive type of development. Hence, the implementation of VUD in urban modelling has not been explored. This study aimed to investigate the influence of VUD on the movement of residents by differentiating building height. Using an agent-based modelling approach on a synthetic case study, the simulation results revealed a reduced level of agents’ movement on non-built up land while an increased movement was observed around and within built-up land. The preliminary findings of this research reveal the quantitative impact of VUD on resident movement.