A Qualitative-to-Quantitative Approach Towards the Ecosystems Modelling of Cities

The critical desire to mitigate wicked urban sustainability challenges compels the need to leverage digital transformation towards the data-driven sustainable urban governance, facilitated by holistic modelling approaches. The modelling approaches must consider the complex systemic interdependencies regarding the utilisation of key urban resources and services. A present research limitation is that of identifying the critical urban systems, urban system elements, and interdependencies between elements, for consideration in the holistic modelling of cities as complex holistic systems. Whilst extensive information on cities exists in peer-reviewed citation index databases, the ability to utilise this information for quantitative modelling purposes, is yet to be proven. To address the research gaps, this research paper proposes a theoretical research protocol which leverages both qualitative and quantitative research techniques, towards adopting a systems modelling approach towards cities, as complex ecosystems. The significance of this approach is that it presents as structured qualitative-to-quantitative methodological approach to characterise essential urban systems and urban system elements constituting a city as a complex system, and the transition towards quantitative modelling.