This paper deals with the first stage — initial description — of the Generation of an Integrated Multispatial Input-output Model of Cities (GIMIMoC), which incorporates multiple systems (urban economic, socio-demographic and housing subsystems) and multiple spatial scales (urban zone, city, region and nation) into a framework. The framework consists of three modules. First, attention is paid to the construction of a multispatial inputoutput model (the MULIO module). A new notation highlights the hierarchy of multispatial units and the links with the other two modules. Second, the multispatial socio-demographic module (SOCDEM) is described, which can be either operated independently or incorporated into the GIMIMoC framework. Third, the multispatial housing stock module (HOSTOC) is treated, in which a spatial interaction type model is applied to estimate housing demand flows. Last, the integration and model solution, together with potential applications are outlined. The second stage — the dynamics of the GIMIMoC framework — is dealt with in another paper (Jin and Wilson 1991).