The thermodynamics of urban population flows

TL;DR

This paper develops a thermodynamic framework to describe urban population flows, using microscopic models and simulations, aiming to establish a social thermodynamics analogy.

Contribution

It introduces a novel thermodynamic approach to model urban population dynamics based on microscopic equations and simulations.

Findings

A thermodynamic model for urban population flows is proposed.

Microscopic random walk models underpin the macroscopic approach.

Results suggest a step towards social thermodynamics.

Abstract

Orderliness, reflected via mathematical laws, is encountered in different frameworks involving social groups. Here we show that a thermodynamics can be constructed that macroscopically describes urban population flows. Microscopic dynamic equations and simulations with random walkers underlie the macroscopic approach. Our results might be regarded, via suitable analogies, as a step towards building an explicit social thermodynamics.