Economics

Tipping and residential segregation: A unified schelling model

Document Type

Article

Abstract

This paper presents a Schelling-type checkerboard model of residential segregation formulated as a spatial game. It shows that although every agent prefers to live in a mixed-race neighborhood, complete segregation is observed almost all of the time. A concept of tipping is rigorously defined, which is crucial for understanding the dynamics of segregation. Complete segregation emerges and persists in the checkerboard model precisely because tipping is less likely to occur to such residential patterns. Agent-based simulations are used to illustrate how an integrated residential area is tipped into complete segregation and why this process is irreversible. This model incorporates insights from Schelling's two classical models of segregation (the checkerboard model and the neighborhood tipping model) and puts them on a rigorous footing. It helps us better understand the persistence of residential segregation in urban America. © 2010, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Publication Title

Journal of Regional Science

Publication Date

2-2011

Volume

51

Issue

1

First Page

167

Last Page

193

ISSN

0022-4146

DOI

10.1111/j.1467-9787.2010.00671.x

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