Estimating an Area-Based Physical Deprivation Index in an Urban Setting Using GIS: Case Study of Cairo, Egypt?

Zeinab Khadr, American University in Cairo
Mohamed Nour, American University in Cairo
Ramdan Hamed, American University in Cairo

The current study aims to produce an index of physical deprivation for small areas in urban settings (referred to as zones in the study). Using data available at the most basic GIS layers and principle component analysis, we were able to construct an index that reflects the levels of physical deprivation in these zones (the average area of the zone is (0.7km2) )within the urban context of Cairo governorate. Based on the index, cluster analysis was used to classify the zones into three distinct categories (Low, Medium, and High). Test on the internal coherent of the index confirmed the ability of all variables included in the index to significantly distinguish among those three categories of zones. Tests of validity of the index using field visits to a representative sample of zones also confirmed the validity of the index in distinguishing among the three categories of the zones.