A Geospatial Analysis of Temporary Housing Inequality among Socially Marginalized and Privileged Groups in India

Abstract

A major obstruction of Indian society to establish equality, balanced growth and development is regional and social group‐wise inequality in availing even basic human needs as well as housing conditions. The present study focuses on mapping the nationwide spatial disparity in the distribution and inequality of temporary housing among socially marginalized and privileged groups, along with three administrative hierarchies: National–State–District. Varieties of measures (Lorenz curve, Gini coefficient, correlation, and quadrant analysis) have been employed for this study. The results indicate inequality in the spatial distribution of serviceable and non‐serviceable temporary housing in India, along with a geospatial disparity in the ownership of temporary housing among different social groups. A number of districts in Orissa, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu Kashmir, and Tamil Nadu have shown a higher proportion of temporary housing along with more ownership among socially marginalized groups. Besides this, districts from Bihar, Orissa, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Tripura have higher proportion of non‐serviceable temporary housing than the national average, along with more ownership among marginalized groups. The categorization of the states and districts based on social group‐wise inequality in the ownership and the concentration of temporary housing is significant for improving of the policies and initiatives taken by the Government to arrange safe, affordable, adequate, and sustainable housing for all.

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) poverty in India: A district‐level geospatial assessment

“…India is a nation with regional disparity and diversity. Several researchers previously studied regional variations in different aspects like human and socioeconomic development (Bakshi et al, 2015; Ghosh, 2018; Ghosh et al, 2021; Jose, 2019; Kundu et al, 2013; Roy, 2012). Previously, Chaudhuri et al (2020) outlined the concentration of households with good WASH infrastructure, including safe drinking water, drainage, and latrine facilities, in western coastal districts and north Indian districts situated in the capital city Delhi and its adjacent states.…”

“…Previously, Das and Mistri (2013), based on Census of India, 2011 data, highlighted the poor condition of housing quality, basic housing amenities, and overall household quality of living among eastern Indian states. Later, Ghosh et al (2021) showed a relatively higher concentration of temporary housing in the eastern coastal area, eastern, and central Indian states like Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and some parts of Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. Several researchers have revealed a lower level of human development (Suryanarayana et al, 2011) and other socioeconomic development (Jose, 2019; Kundu et al, 2013) in those districts.…”

“…(Cowell, 1998). Previously, the Gini index was used to estimate the geospatial inequality in different aspects like housing, health, etc., in India (Ghosh, 2018; Ghosh et al, 2021). Here we selected Atkinson's index of inequality (Atkinson, 1970) because of its two characteristics: (i) sensitivity to the inequality in the lower end of the distribution, and (ii) the simplicity of the methods.…”

Village‐level livelihood security: A case study on a wasteland‐dominated forest fringe region of rural India

“…50,000 and above farmer credit card limit along with per‐head income level determining the economic capital of the villages. In addition, better shelter conditions, household's WASH facilities are linked with social dignity and healthy living, enhancing adaptive capacity during environmental hazards (Ghosh, Alam, et al, 2021; Ghosh, Hossain, & Alam, 2021; Ghosh, Saha, & Cartone, 2021; Patidar, 2019). Therefore, to outline security of livelihood, we considered good housing conditions, good wall, floor and roof condition, adequate dwelling rooms, and electricity as determining shelter condition.…”