Measuring Social Vulnerability in an Urban Space Through Multivariate Methods and Models

Area of Science:

• Urban studies
• Sociology
• Environmental science

Background:

• Social vulnerability is a multidimensional deprivation impacting populations exposed to natural, environmental, socioeconomic, and epidemic risks.
• Understanding urban social vulnerability is crucial for targeted interventions and policy-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a quantitative analysis for measuring social vulnerability in the urban space of Rome.
• To develop a multidimensional index to assess various facets of social deprivation.
• To map social vulnerability and identify spatial patterns within the urban environment.

Main Methods:

• Application of multivariate statistical methods and models.
• Development of specific indices for dimensions including housing quality, social context, education, employment, urban mobility, social relations, and economic conditions.
• Creation of a global index for mapping social vulnerability.

Main Results:

• Successful identification of significant spatial patterns of social vulnerability.
• Quantification of multidimensional deprivation across different urban areas.
• Demonstration of how urban heterogeneity influences social vulnerability.

Conclusions:

• The proposed quantitative approach effectively measures and maps social vulnerability in urban settings.
• The study highlights the importance of spatial analysis in understanding the heterogeneity of social deprivation.
• Findings provide a basis for informed urban planning and social policy development.