Identifying the challenges of creating an optimal dissemination geography for census
Date
2015-02
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
CONSAS Conference
Abstract
The importance of census data in government and private-sector planning cannot be
underestimated. However, the geographic level at which it is made available for different users, is
a highly debateable issue. It is crucial that census data is disseminated in such a way that it
satisfies most user needs as far as possible, to ensure that there is optimum use of the
information and that maximum value for money is provided. In the past, Statistics South Africa
disseminated data at the same geographic level created for data collection. This causes problems
for data users and calls for the creation of a separate output geography rather than using the
original collection geography.
The research was done on two levels: first, an overview of output geographies, as well as examples
of developed and successfully used tools to generate these areas within a geographical information
system. Some of these could be used in the South African milieu. Secondly the paper discuss aspects
such as the population size variation of EAs, in order to inform the criteria for the creation of
the ideal small area (SA) layer to satisfy the majority of user needs. Lastly the paper describes
briefly the challenges faced to create the 2011 output geography. The results indicate a strong
resemblance between the two EA population size patterns of 2001 and 2011, influenced by the EA
demarcation rules. The challenges identified in the process of creating the SAL as a census output
geography need to be taken into consideration to enable a more useful and user-friendly
output.
Description
CITATION: Verhoef, H. & Van Eeden, A. 2015. Identifying the challenges of creating an optimal dissemination geography for census. South African Journal of Geomatics, 4(1):50-64.
The original publication is available at http://www.sajg.org.za
The original publication is available at http://www.sajg.org.za
Keywords
Census, Geography -- Data processing, Statistics
Citation
Verhoef, H. & Van Eeden, A. 2015. Identifying the challenges of creating an optimal dissemination geography for census. South African Journal of Geomatics, 4(1):50-64.