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Regional Poverty and Inequality in the Xiamen-Zhangzhou-Quanzhou City Cluster in China Based on NPP/VIIRS Night-Time Light Imagery

Author

Listed:
  • Wenbin Pan

    (College of Environment and Resources, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China)

  • Hongming Fu

    (College of Environment and Resources, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China)

  • Peng Zheng

    (College of Environment and Resources, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China)

Abstract

Poverty and inequality remain outstanding challenges in many global regions. Understanding the underlying social and economic conditions is important in formulating poverty eradication strategies. Using Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Night-Time Light (NTL) images and multidimensional socioeconomic data between 2012 and 2018, this study measured regional poverty and inequality in the Xiamen-Zhangzhou-Quanzhou city cluster in the People’s Republic of China. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the Theil index decomposition method were used to establish an Integrated Poverty Index (IPI) and a regional inequality index, respectively. The results indicated that: (1) The poverty index is affected by the geographical location, policies, and resources of a district/county. A significant logarithmic correlation model between VIIRS Average Light Index (ALI) and IPI was established. (2) The Theil index derived from Gross Domestic Product (GDP) indicators showed that overall inequality and between-prefecture inequality declined, while within-prefecture inequality remained unchanged. In terms of the contributions to regional inequality, the contribution of within-prefecture inequality is the largest. The results indicated that Suomi National Polar Partnership/Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (NPP/VIIRS) night-time data can help to perform district/county-level poverty assessments at small and medium spatial scales, although the evaluation effect on regional inequality is slightly lower.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenbin Pan & Hongming Fu & Peng Zheng, 2020. "Regional Poverty and Inequality in the Xiamen-Zhangzhou-Quanzhou City Cluster in China Based on NPP/VIIRS Night-Time Light Imagery," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-20, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:6:p:2547-:d:336300
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    Cited by:

    1. Hao Liu & Jingtao Wang & Haibin Liu & Yuzhuo Chen & Xinghan Liu & Yanlei Guo & Hui Huang, 2022. "Identification of Relative Poverty Based on 2012–2020 NPP/VIIRS Night Light Data: In the Area Surrounding Beijing and Tianjin in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-23, May.
    2. Qi Wang & Zhongling Xin & Fangqu Niu, 2022. "Analysis of the Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Shrinking Cities in China: Evidence from Nighttime Light," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-17, June.
    3. Jian Wang & Mudan Zhao & Wei Zhong & Jianbo Li & Chunyan Zheng, 2022. "Coupling Relationship of Urban Development and the Eco-Environment in Guanzhong Region, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-17, March.

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