Abstract

Geodemographic segmentation systems are area classifications that use multi-criteria and geo-statistical analytics to group places and people into clusters of similarity. The benefits of these geocomputation techniques have been largely embraced by countries in the developed world where the origins of geodemographics lie. In spite of identified value of segmentation techniques for driving efficacy in policy making in developed societies, numerous developing countries still lack these systems. At the very basic level, some of the reasons for this paucity may appear obvious; however some more pertinent issues like the misunderstanding of the significance of data infrastructure has often been overlooked. In this paper, we provide some background on the antecedents of geodemographics and focus on the challenges and benefits of spatial segmentation as an option for driving evidence-based policy making within developing countries.

Key words: Developing world, geodemographics, geographic information systems, millennium development goals, public policy.