General Questions¶

What types of questions can I answer with this platform?¶

For example with the block-level model: A baseline land use forecast can be crafted using the platform. And then, scenarios can be composed to do scenario analysis that pivots off of the baseline forecast. The forecast includes spatial, tabular, and chart indicators with variables such as households by demographic type, jobs by sector, and residential units. Output can be summarized at any census or zonal geography. Simulation levers that can be used to compose a scenario include: zoned capacities, macro-economic assumptions (UrbanSim control totals), transportation infrastructure (as represented by skims), development projects, and model adjustments (asserted outcomes that reflect local expertise or jurisdictional feedback). Variability in future outcomes can be explored by simulating a particular scenario multiple times without a fixed random seed. Feedback on scenario data and model results can be systematically collected and tracked using comments.

What do I need to be able to use UrbanCanvas? What are the minimum system requirements?¶

Minimum system requirements can be found here.

What geographic areas are currently supported for the census block model?¶

Census block-level models can be pre-built for any metropolitan region in the United States that has Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD) data. Census block-level models can also be built for regions that do not have LEHD data if users can supply an alternate employment data source. Zonal and parcel model templates can be built for any urban area in the world, if users supply the data. The county is the minimum boundary level for metropolitan regions in the block model. For special, sub-county study areas contact us at info@urbansim.com.

Do I have to know a programming language to use the platform?¶

No programming knowledge is required or expected to use the platform.

I would rather use a command prompt than a User Interface (UI), can I do this with this service?¶

All work is done via the User Interface (UI). A forthcoming feature will allow advanced users to drop under the hood and edit simulation code and configuration-files directly in an interactive computing environment. The codebase for your model system will be hosted on our private GitHub page and is available to you at any time. In addition, a public facing Python application programming interface (API) for UrbanCanvas is currently in development that will offer the same data upload and update functionality that exists in the user-interface. For clients with consulting contracts, we use our experimental service called UrbanLabs to host Python Jupyter notebooks on JupyterHub to walk clients through the various stages of the model development process at the programming code-level.

Can I run a local version of the service?¶

No, not currently. We deploy the service for you in the cloud. A single deployment strategy helps us to better support customers.

Are my data and results safe in the cloud?¶

Data loss is a low probability, as the storage services we utilize have strong durability characteristics thanks to backups and redundancy. Data is private by default unless you decide to share it.

Accounts¶

How do I manage my UrbanSim user account and change my password, email, or username?¶

You can manage your UrbanSim user account by going to your profile page. From there you can change any information associated with your UrbanSim profile including your account password, email address, and username.

How can I manage users associated with my UrbanCanvas subscription and invite new users?¶

If you are the administrator for your account, you can manage users associated with your UrbanCanvas subscription by going to your users page. From here you change user UrbanCanvas roles and invite new users or remove users from your account.

How can I view information associated with my subscription or UrbanCanvas region?¶

You can view information associated with your UrbanCanvas subscription or UrbanCanvas region by going to your subscription page.

What counts as a simulation run?¶

Any simulation run with a horizon year 10 years beyond the base year is a full simulation run and counts toward the initial allotment of 100. Test runs with a duration of under 10 years are considered test runs. See accounts for more information.

Can I have both a block and zone or parcel level model with a single subscription? I’d like to try out multiple templates.¶

Yes, a subscription comes with the ability to have multiple projects. Multiple block, zone, and parcel model templates can be configured depending on your subscription agreement.

Is the standard subscription rate of 100 simulation runs per organization/subscription, or is it per seat?¶

The initial 100 simulation runs are on a per organization basis.

Can I have users with different levels of permissions in UrbanCanvas?¶

Yes, UrbanCanvas user roles can be assigned to users by Administrators and provide a way to manage different user permission levels for specific features and workflows within UrbanCanvas. UrbanCanvas users can be assigned UrbanCanvas roles such as Administrator, Modeler, and Viewer. Each role has a specific set of permissions that provide access to specific features in UrbanCanvas. See here for more information. UrbanCanvas Viewer and Viewer roles are enabled for subscribers that have the Viewer as part of their subscription agreement. To enable UrbanCanvas Viewer for your subscription contact info@urbansim.com for details.