  We investigate the Schelling model of social segregation, formulated as an
intrinsically non-equilibrium system, in which the agents occupy districts (or
patches) rather than sites on a grid. We show that this allows the equations
governing the dynamical behaviour of the model to be derived. Analysis of these
equations reveals a jamming transition in the regime of low-vacancy density,
and inclusion of a spatial dimension in the model leads to a pattern forming
instability. Both of these phenomena exhibit unusual characteristics which may
be studied through our approach.
