An agent-based model integrates geographic information systems and social network analysis to model the emergence of riots.

The physical environment and agent attributes are developed using empirical data, including GIS and socioeconomic data.

The agent’s cognitive framework allowed for modeling their activities in physical space and interactions in social space.

Through the integration of the three techniques, we were able to capture the complex, nonlinear nature of riots.

Results show that youth are most vulnerable, and, increasing education and employment has nonlinear affects on rioting.