Constructing an urban deprivation index: a way of meeting the need for flexibility

The authors examine the use of census data to construct an urban deprivation index for the United Kingdom, with special attention given to the need for flexibility. "A single index is rejected in favour of a matrix of results which captures the complex geography of deprivation. The matrix of districts includes measures of the degree of deprivation, its spatial extent, its intensity, and the spatial distribution of deprivation at the enumeration district scale. The profiles of various districts are discussed to illustrate the use of the matrix."