Motivation

Research that involves the development of computational models to address design and planning questions, is naturally growing in various dimensions.We have invited people coming from different scientific traditions and with different research interests, but who nonetheless show the same interest to exploit the computational power to support design and planning activities. This interest is creating a plethora of challenges and "traditions" but also conceals various fallacies and hidden opportunities worth exploring.

So, the motivation was:

• To bring together cognitive science, artificial intelligence and complexity science in the study and support of design and planning
• To investigate common and different perceptions, challenges and fallacies.
• To support research on computational models that simulate or enhance design and planning activities.

In this sense the macro- objective of the meeting was to potentially answer questions such as:

• What is the role and scope of computational models in design and planning?
• What methodologies and theories underline their development?
• Can we recognise emerging (common) areas of research and emerging problems?

It was anticipated that the meeting, since interdisciplinary in nature, would focus on exploring the scope and role of alternative computational paradigms, rather than attempting a vertical in-depth exploration of different methodologies. The participants in the panel discussion were invited to explore, and more importantly challenge, a series of questions around two main themes: Modelling design and planning phenomena, and Tools to enhance design and planning activities. The goal was not to answer those questions but rather to find the appropriate questions that need to be asked in order to support common research in computational models in design and planning.