Analyzing Urban Poverty

In a world of almost 7 billion people, with 70% living off of less than $2 a day, poverty is a global crisis. Every country and city has it’s own unique problems and needs, but the premises is the same- those in poverty are often left to fend for themselves and struggle to survive. Judy Baker and Nina Schuler’s research on Analyzing Urban Poverty provides a summary of methods and approaches to conducting urban poverty analysis. With the ability to properly research and gather information on this issue, better changes can be made to policy and organizations focused at alleviating poverty.

The research report was basically an outline on how to effectively go about researching urban poverty and learning how to target an area’s needs. Through case studies and examples of research methods, the reader can follow the steps that Baker and Schuler used for their findings. The first thing the researcher needs to do is find a way to measure the poverty in a location. While the authors wrote numerous case studies on many world cities, it is best for one to focus on an individual location in order to best serve it. The case studies they selected represent different approaches to urban poverty analysis in different geographic locations (page 10). Using data that has already been released is a cost-effective way to gather information, along with focus groups and interviews.

Although this was a complex study, one thing that I really took away from their research was the statement that in order to successfully reach conclusions on an issue, you must track it for an extended period of time (page 12). Measuring the changes of poverty over time is the only way to figure out if the policies in place are being effective. Another thing they mentioned was that an understanding of the specific characteristics of urban poverty will lead to more cost-effective policies. In essence, relating to and understanding the needs and problems of the urban poor will help you to better assist them and provide care.

Another notable suggestion was found in the conclusion. It is important to be aware of the environment of the city at the time of the study. They used the example of a war or natural disaster. If a significant incident has just happened in the city, chances are the findings on poverty will be a lot different than research taken several years prior or later. The authors also provide several challenges researchers may be faced with when conducting a survey. Data collection, sampling and definitional issues were a few of the problems they had and remaining consistent in research methods is important in order for the report to appear accurate (page 17).
Although I thought this report was long-winded and offered almost too many suggestions for undertaking research, it was helpful to see an outline of another’s research methods. The fact that the authors chose to include numerous case studies proves that they spent time and resources on this project and the accuracy of their research is verified through other references. Analyzing urban poverty is a huge task to undertake, but with these suggestions and methods, it should be easier for an organization to know where to begin and how to break it down.