URBAN SEGREGATION
SCHELLING’S MODEL
The racial or economic segregation of neighbourhoods is one of the most common phenomena in the social dynamics of cities and which has historically caused most problems. Where did it start? Is it the consequence of political decisions or is it more deeply rooted, associated with human behaviour?
Schelling’s model makes it possible to understand the origins of spatial segregation in a city or a territory based on very simple local rules. After studying the historical problem of segregation by neighbourhoods, we shall reflect on the mechanisms that amplify social systems, often not too different from other well-known physical systems. Among other tools, we shall use a model of interactive simulation developed by Sergi Valverde, of the Institute of Evolutionary Biology’s Evolution of Technology Laboratory (UPF-CSIC).
