Genetic Algorithm for Community Engagement and Urban Planning

Genetic City is a project that proposes the use of a Genetic Algorithm capable of creating and testing thousands of variations for a specific city block topology. The goal of the project is to use the algorithm as a way to assist on the creation of different city configurations and plans within the City Scope platform developed at the MIT Media Lab.  

The implementation aims to reinforce conversations that need to happen amongst community stakeholders about the true needs of an urban space. The algorithm provides a flexible evaluation function that can be constructed and weighted through community engagement in order to make sure that the algorithm seeks to optimize and satisfies everyone’s expectations and needs.

The Simple Genetic Algorithm (SGA)

Population Description Based on City Scope Platform

Population Evaluation

Population Selection

Crosses

Mutations

Credits and Acknowledgements

Based on the work being developed by the City Scope team at the MIT Media Lab’s City Science research group.