Agent based modeling simulation for land use change and cost-benefit analysis of land management policies

This study shows the Simulation of an Agent Based Model for Land Use Change (SIMBACUS) developed on the Netlogo platform (Wilensky, 1999) for the period of 2010-2030. The model studies the interaction of individual behavior with environmental characteristics considering socioeconomic, demographic, climate and public policy aspects of Pachuca de Soto (Hidalgo). The simulation's dynamism is based on population growth and the Cobb-Douglas utility function, which determines the optimal decisions of individuals. The results indicate that in 2030 the municipality would have 303,773 inhabitants, the urban area would grow to 21 km2 and the implementation of a land management program would have a positive impact on social welfare and the permanence of natural resources.