Complexity and complexity theories

do these concepts make sense?

Hermann Haken

pp. 7-20

in: Juval Portugali, Han Meyer, Egbert Stolk, Ekim Tan (eds), Complexity theories of cities have come of age, Berlin, Springer, 2012

Abstract

In light of the recently published book Complexity 5 Questions, edited by Carlos Gershenson, I discuss some of the Complexity theories (including my own field "Synergetics") with respect to their applicability to cities. This book, with contributions by 24 leading scientists, shows that there is no general consensus on "Complexity". Nevertheless, I believe that there is some common ground for an approach to what one might call a "theory of a city", even if it remains an open ended story.