Self-organized settlements

In the present study we address the question of how persons or families occ upy specific locations according to an attractiveness function between pers ons and flats. We suggest a mathematically formulated model in order to fin d optimal distributions of persons over flats. The model maximizes the glob al attractiveness of the ensemble and accounts for various conflicting situ ations. Its solutions show that, depending on initial conditions, both opti mal as well as suboptimal configurations can be reached. An interpretation of the approach in terms of mental maps is offered.