Introduction

Here's your opportunity to try your hand at being a planner and at setting policies that will affect the development of a country. You will be able to test a range of policies via simulation. What's more, you will be able to learn why some policies could lead to unexpected results. These dynamic models provide you with a no-risk way to deepen your understanding of complex population, development, and environment interactions.

First, download the PDE model of interest. To run the model you need a model file and the supporting data input file(s). The model files have the suffix vmf and the data files have the suffix vdf or xls. An alternative is to download the zip file, which includes all the necessary files per model, and unzip it.

Important note: All vmf and vdf or xls files for each model separately should be saved in the same folder.

Please ignore all warning and eror messages that arise when you run the models using the Vensim® Reader. They are temporary and will be deleted in the next version of this CD-ROM/Web site.

Second, download and install the Vensim® Model Reader.

Third, open the Vensim® Model Reader and click on File>Open Model and then click on the name of the file you wish to open. Please note that the file you open must have the suffix vmf. Also you may have to change the directory to the one in which you have stored the model files.

Fourth, the PDE model starts with a Navigation Interface which guides you through the model. You will easily learn to use the model and to test a range of scenarios or policy options.

Fifth, you can retrieve a short and printable user's manual which includes the model description summaries and a short description on how to run alternative scenarios. Click here to view or download the User's Manual (in PDF format).
Note: The manual is still preliminary. We have not yet incorporated any feedback from users at this stage in our work.