As rapid urbanization continues to reshape the Majority World (MW), the number of people living in deprived urban areas (DUAs) is expected to soar to 2 billion by 2030. These communities face heightened risks from infectious diseases, environmental health challenges, and the impacts of climate change – risks that are often more severe than those faced by residents in affluent, more developed neighborhoods.

Unfortunately, there is a significant lack of reliable data to properly monitor and understand these DUAs, leaving gaps in our knowledge about their characteristics and the risks they face. DEPRIMAP aims to fill this critical gap by leveraging cutting-edge geospatial technology and machine learning techniques.

Our project utilizes data form Copernicus satellites and other publicly available resources, such as building footprints, to map, model, and analyze DUAs in key cities across the world, including Buenos Aries, Khartoum, Lagos, Nariobi, and Dhaka (tentative locations). Through close collaboration with local communities and stakeholders, DEPRIMAP seeks to deepen our understanding of the physical, demographic, and socio-economic aspects of these areas.

By comparing DUAs with non-DUAs, particularly in relation to natural hazards like flooding, drought, and heatwaves, DEPRIMAP’s goal is to contribute valuable insights that support the creation of more resilient and sustainable urban environments. Ultimately, our work aligns with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to improve the lives of the most vulnerable urban citizens in the Majority World.