USING GIS FOR TARGETING POVERTY: THE CASE OF GREAT CAIRO REGION

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Architectural Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Minoufiya University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt

Abstract

The poverty mapping is a new technique that explores the relationship between spatial patterns of poverty and its geographic determinants. To achieve the goal of poverty reduction, the researchers collected, analyzed and used geographic information as it relates to the multi-dimensionality of poverty. Poverty maps are essential information used as an input to geographic targeting of deprivation, and thus formulating strategies for poverty reduction. Significant geographic variation in incidence rates of poverty may be due, in part, to differences in resource endowments, education, employment, infrastructures, health services, etc. As a consequence, inequity exists between districts as it does between individuals. This paper affirms the possibility of using geo-statistical techniques for poverty mapping, and the suitability of GIS analysis for poverty targeting. At the district level, deprivation index for of Great Cairo Region as reported by HDR, 2006, and spatial variables that associate with poverty to generate digital layers of deprivation. The results spatially indicate deprived districts. Poverty maps of GCR are the results of spatial correlation analysis and geographic determinants of poverty.

Keywords