Journal of Digital Landscape Architecture

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Designing like Beavers: A Multi‑Agent, Data‑Coupled Approach to Process‑First Landscape Design for Resilience

This paper presents a DEM-coupled multi-agent prototype that explores beaver-inspired trail formation and canalization as a process-first landscape design method. In NetLogo, the DEM provides slope/aspect fields, and water-tracer particles provide wetness cues during periodic reflooding. Agents generate trails as an intensity field via repeated movement, then excavate on wet cells, accumulating an excavation field that can deepen reinforced corridors into canals. The tool supports scenario comparison rather than prediction: users vary exploration bias, reinforcement/decay, excavation thresholds, slope limits, and reflooding timing, then assess corridor patterns in maps. In a representative case study, simulated trail-and-canal concentrations align with patterns in time-stamped imagery. Limitations include proxy hydrology and no terrain or hydraulic updating; future work couples excavation to flow and morphodynamics.

Autor / Author: Kennedy, Jordan R. M.; Oliva, Federico; Degani, Amir; Bar-Sinai, Karen Lee
Institution / Institution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Massachusetts/USA; ꞏ Israeli Institute of Technology, Haifa/Israel; Israeli Institute of Technology, Haifa/Israel; Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Massachusetts/USA
Seitenzahl / Pages: 9
Sprache / Language: Englisch
Veröffentlichung / Publication: JoDLA – Journal of Digital Landscape Architecture, 11-2026
Tagung / Conference: Digital Landscape Architecture 2026 – Cutting Edge
Veranstaltungsort, -datum / Venue, Date: University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland 28-05-26 - 29-05-26
Schlüsselwörter (de):
Keywords (en): Agent‑based modelling, DEM, NetLogo, process-based design, beaver, canals, trails
Paper review type: Full Paper Review
DOI: doi:10.14627/537770066
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