engleski

A physical analogue of the Schelling model

We present a mathematical link between Schelling's socio-economic model of segregation and the physics of clustering. We replace the economic concept of utility by the physics concept of a particle's internal energy. As a result, cluster dynamics is driven by the surface tension force. The resultant segregated areas can be very large and can behave like spherical liquid droplets or as a collection of static clusters in frozen form. This model will hopefully provide a useful framework for studying many spatial economic phenomena that involve individuals making location choices as a function of the characteristics and choices of their neighbors.

segregation ; socioeconomy ; surface tension

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