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This paper investigates conceptual modeling of circulation in settlements using agent-based systems. It explains and compares two different types of model that highlight diametrically opposed architectural tasks in respect to movement. While the first model explores the case where the agents' movement defines the circulation, the latter builds towards the argument that good circulation can be achieved via self-organization within the agent colony. The first type of computational model generates networks that are directly informed by the acts of movement and circulation is a direct result of agents interacting with their environment. Circulation in the second model is seen as an integral part of the morphogenesis of the settlement geometry. The two models help drawing the distinction between two different notions of agency in design. On one hand agency is seen as a group of actors that organizes and modifies the design solutions or its representations.On the other hand, the configuration and structure of agency becomes a design solution per se.

Agent based design systems could provide useful decision help for architects working on spatial planning tasks that involve large number of actors or deal with complex urban situations.These systems are especially helpful in bridging the gap between concrete design proposals and high-level design abstractions such as frequency and flow diagrams. Every attempt to use computational design agents in the planning process will automatically raise many fundamental issues about spatial perception and representation of the environment. The paper discusses these issues in the light of some recent agent based simulations.Two case studies are presented in order to demonstrate different uses of computational agents in urban design. The first study shows how a simple agent-based design system placed in an urban context becomes a creative production tool.The second one reveals analytical capabilities of an agent system in urban environments.

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This paper builds towards the argument that pedestrian traffic in the city can be successfully simulated with agent-based computational models if pedestrians' movement patterns are appropriately studied first. Furthermore, such simulation models, when finely calibrated and supported by onsite observations, allow planners to evaluate different urban design scenarios.We present a pilot study carried out in the centre of Tallinn, and discuss a way of how pedestrian movement simulations can be conceived. In the pilot study we recorded some 120 traces of pedestrians' movement and developed a prototype of an agent-based computational model to simulate this movement. Additionally we investigated the possibility of including solar analysis into the computational model. Already this short exercise offered us some interesting insights into how certain spatial qualities and features can drive pedestrian traffic making urban walkers to verge off the shortest routes. The pilot study was carried out in the context of the High Street project [1] for turning the centre of Tallinn into more pedestrian friendly area by redesigning urban space, calming vehicular traffic and creating new opportunities for businesses to flourish.