David Abella, IFISC researcher, awarded at the second edition of the UIB Chair of Urban Studies Awards

The University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), through the Chair of Urban Studies, has announced the winners of the second edition of its annual awards. On this occasion, the prize for doctoral research has been awarded to David Abella Bujalance, from the Institute of Cross-disciplinary Physics and Complex Systems (IFISC, CSIC-UIB), for his thesis entitled “Aging and memory effects in social and economic dynamics”, directed by Dr. Maxi San Miguel and Dr. José Javier Ramasco.

Abella's research explores how factors such as custom and memory affect complex urban dynamics, such as social segregation and the real estate market. Through theoretical and empirical approaches, the study reveals that these factors significantly impact large-scale socioeconomic systems. In the case of social segregation, for example, resistance to change out of habit fosters segregation by creating a strong attachment to individuals' current location, which slows down the process and leads to greater overall satisfaction.

In addition, Abella analyzes the dynamics of the real estate market, identifying three crucial factors: agency popularity, price ranges, and spatial specialization. His findings provide the basis for future predictive models that could help in the development of more precise urban policies to mitigate inequalities and optimize the market.

This award, endowed with 1,500 euros, recognizes the relevance of Abella's thesis in the context of urban issues in the Balearic Islands, especially its link with the dynamics of tourism. The award-winning research offers valuable perspectives for the development of policies that address complex urban problems and contribute to sustainable and equitable urban growth.

Photo: David Abella's colleagues (Gorka Buenvaron, Mar Cuevas and Manuel Miranda) collect the award on his behalf. UIB.