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A Measurement of Spatial Disparity: The Case of Income Inequality

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  • Sanjoy Chakravorty

    (Department of Geography and Urban Studies, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA)

Abstract

Traditionally, inequality measurements have been designed only for non-spatial applications, despite the argument that inequality is manifested in social space (and may be perceived spatially). Presented here is an approach to understanding urban inequality in terms of the spatial distribution of population and income. This is done with a general definition of spatial disparity (implying significant differences between neighbouring parcels); spatial disparity exists between contiguous parcels even when similar values are spatially clustered (as in the case of income). A family of spatial disparity measures is proposed: the basic measure of 'neighbourhood disparity' uses information on contiguity to arrive at individual disparity values for individual parcels, and an indexed value for an area. The process of neighbour identification is made simpler by using topologically structured spatial databases used in vector-based GIS. This methodology is used on 1990 census data to analyse disparities in the spatial distribution of income in Philadelphia to illustrate and compare the use, the basic measure and its weighted versions, and to identify and map general patterns of urban spatial income disparity. It is found that spatial income disparity is manifested in rings around the CBD, and that the distribution of black incomes is very heterogeneous (although the generalisability of both conclusions may be questioned).

Suggested Citation

  • Sanjoy Chakravorty, 1996. "A Measurement of Spatial Disparity: The Case of Income Inequality," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 33(9), pages 1671-1686, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:33:y:1996:i:9:p:1671-1686
    DOI: 10.1080/0042098966556
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Nord, Stephen, 1980. "Income Inequality and City Size: An Examination of Alternative Hypotheses for Large and Small Cities," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 62(4), pages 502-508, November.
    3. Richardson, Harry W, 1988. "Monocentric vs. Policentric Models: The Future of Urban Economics in Regional Science," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 22(2), pages 1-12, July.
    4. Garofalo, Gasper & Fogarty, Michael S, 1979. "Urban Income Distribution and the Urban Hierarchy-Equality Hypothesis," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 61(3), pages 381-388, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Casey J. Dawkins, 2007. "Space And The Measurement Of Income Segregation," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(2), pages 255-272, May.
    2. Javier Martinez, 2019. "Mapping Dynamic Indicators of Quality of Life: a Case in Rosario, Argentina," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 14(3), pages 777-798, July.
    3. Sébastien Breau & Michael Shin & Nick Burkhart, 2018. "Pulling apart: new perspectives on the spatial dimensions of neighbourhood income disparities in Canadian cities," Journal of Geographical Systems, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 1-25, January.
    4. Mathias Moser & Matthias Schnetzer, 2014. "The Geography of Average Income and Inequality: Spatial Evidence from Austria," Department of Economics Working Papers wuwp191, Vienna University of Economics and Business, Department of Economics.

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