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Unveiling the complexity of urban poverty: Exploring spatial and multidimensional deprivation in slums of Varanasi, India

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Abstract

Urban poverty is a complex phenomenon and people experiencing poverty suffer from various deprivations. Multidimensional poverty measurement has been one of the best indicators of this deprivation. In general, slum dwellers are considered homogenous groups, but it is not valid in multidimensional deprivation. This paper aims to find out the correlates of multidimensional poverty in slums. Spatiality and correlates of poverty in Varanasi City have been tapped using statistical modelling. The paper is based on primary data collected from 384 households through an interview schedule from 12 slums across three geographical zones of the city. The MPI index for slums, based on global MPI, was used to compute MPI for each geographical zone. Further ANOVA and hierarchical regression analysis were performed to find spatiality and correlates of multidimensional deprivation. The paper reveals that socio-religious categories, occupation and geographical location are significant determinants or at least correlates of multidimensional poverty in slums.

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The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Jagat Taran Girls’ Degree College, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, 211002, India

    Darshan Kumar Jha

  2. Department of Geography, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India

    Vinod Kumar Tripathi

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Both authors contributed to the study’s conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Dr DKJ. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Dr DKJ. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Darshan Kumar Jha.

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Approval was obtained from the Departmental Research Committee, Department of Geography, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. The procedures used in this study adhere to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki.

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Jha, D.K., Tripathi, V.K. Unveiling the complexity of urban poverty: Exploring spatial and multidimensional deprivation in slums of Varanasi, India. GeoJournal 88, 6561–6575 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-023-10986-4

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