Language is of the utmost importance when it comes to describing the reality we face and the solutions we want to create. In interdisciplinary research—where data science, spatial analysis, and urban planning intersect—clarity of terminology is critical. Misunderstandings easily arise when partners operate with different definitions of the same concept, or as terms evolve across different technical domains.

To ensure a shared foundation within the work, we have created this glossary of terms. Our work inherently merges diverse fields, including System Dynamics, Geospatial Information Systems (GIS), urban data management, and Spatial System Dynamics (SSD).

We are not suggesting these definitions are the only 'right' ones, but rather that this is the common understanding our partners rely on when developing models, frameworks, and simulations.