Aggregation of census data in a regular grid to analyze the distribution and characteristics of the population: the case of São Paulo, 2010

• Grant number: 12/50766-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2013
• End date: May 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Demography - Spatial Distribution
• Agreement: CNPq - First Projects Program
• Principal Investigator: Álvaro de Oliveira D'Antona
• Grantee: Álvaro de Oliveira D'Antona
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas (FCA). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Limeira , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The primary motivation of the proposal is to apply a method of aggregating census data to spatially represent the results of the 2010 Censo Demográfico do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). In order to test the methodology for the State of São Paulo, we will generate a Geographic Information System (GIS) with variables that are useful in a wide variety of analyses - from the intra-municipal to the State scale. The coordinates or addresses of households visited by h the IBGE constitute a base-for the aggregation of data into a grid. This allows us to convert direct objects - the points representing the households -into' small units of area (grid cells), that aggregate the individual-level information. We will optimize the size of the cells using an algorithm that takes into account proprietary criteria from the IBGE as well as the distribution of households throughout the entire state. This method for aggregating is advantageous as compared to representing census data by administrative units or census tracts because the grid we use to aggregate the data more accurately represents to the true distribution of households than do grids generated by disaggregation, techniques. Furthermore, the proposal includes the application of spatial statistical techniques, which will be used to estimate the level of concentration or dispersal of demographic indicators created based on the census data. These methods allow us to verify statistically significant standards for the clustering or dispersion of demographic characteristics. In addition to developing the methodology and optimized grid in order to analyze data from the state of São Paulo, the project will disseminate its results through maps printed in large format and through a server of maps connected to the internet so that users can remotely generate their own maps, based on the GIS system created. (AU)