Science Pledge

(1)

Science Pledge

By my signature below, I certify that my thesis is entirely the result of my own work. I have cited all sources I have used in my thesis and I have always indicated their origin.

Austria, Salzburg February, 28, 2017 (Place, Date) Signature

(2)

ABSTRACT

To a large degree, regionalism; spatial disparity and its associated income inequality is a feature of the processes of economic growth and development. Spatial inequality as it relates to the processes of national development has emerged and exacerbated as a new dimension of income distribution disparities within a population relative to the speed and direction of the inherit process of economic and technological globalization within the last few decades. The dynamic association between spatial income inequality and development in general and the convergence hypothesis formed the foci of this study.

The main goal of the study was to employ certain spatial and non-spatial data analysis techniques within Geographic information Science and System (spatial statistical techniques involving spatial regression, auto-correlation and correlation, modelling – interpolation and analysis) to investigate and map the shifts in patterns of regional income inequality at different geographic scales in Canada since 2009 to 2013. The study adopted a mixed methods approach, emphasising quantitative and qualitative techniques.

The study is premised as a case study within the philosophical tool box of qualitative research approach and/or ontology. Such an approach allows for qualitative techniques for instance, a case study analysis based on meaning, representation, and explanation of the systematic detection of underlying concepts and patterns in texts used as evidence.

The quantitative aspect is grounded within a post-structuralist philosophy that enables the use of statistical, analytical, and modelling methods that incorporates the sensitivity of geographical location variables relative to time dimension. The study made use of Excel, XTools Pro, GIScience techniques and analysis (ArcGIS version 10.3.1) and Arcgis online involving thematic classification and query of feature attributes to examine spatial patterns and relationships between the spatial-temporal distributions of employment, income inequality underpining regionalism in Canada. It was found that the distribution of income-inequality relative to the spatial dimension of Canada is increasing

(3)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This project work in Master of Science in Geographic Information Science and Systems MSc (GISc) has been accomplished through the grace and guidance of the Almighty God. I subscribe to a belief in the need to appreciate people and share values, experiences, and knowledge across national, religious and ‘racial’ boundaries.

I am motivated by and, make my way through life’s complex opportunities with this belief as a solid framework. As such, a combination of personal values and formal and informed life experiences acquired over the years shaped by decision and resolve in accomplishment of this study. Hence, this study does not represent s singular effort but the efforts and unflinching support of many known and unknown individuals. It’s been a privilege to be associated with and offered such an opportunity to undertake a research of this nature under the auspices of UNIGIS at the University of Salzburg. I am greatly indebted to all the lecturers and administrators at the University of Salzburg, Department of Geo-informatics – Z_GIS.

The research for this study has been carried out under extremely difficult conditions.

Because of the difficult conditions, the study had to take a longer time to be completed. I had to combine working around the clock to earn the meager means which enabled me to maintain myself with confronting the odds of the research, in terms of amount of work involved. It must be confessed that, doing the two things simultaneously was really a hard task. In fact, one of the rare wonders I have ever had has been the fact that, in spite of grave challenges which confronted me in the course of the research project, I could preserve in the accomplishment of a task which appeared almost insurmountable. I am forever convinced that the ingenuity of man reveals itself to the maximum, when any person concentrates his/her efforts towards overcoming adversities.

(4)

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 – Five/three Regional Model of Canada ... 5

Table 2 Gross Domestic Product_Federal_Provincial_Territory: 2009-2013 ... 25

Table 3 Employment by Province and Territory: 2009-2013 ... 25

Table 4 Federal Government Employment by Metropolitan Areas: 2009-2013 ... 26

Table 5 Populations – Federal_Province_Territory: 2009 - 2013 ... 27

Table 6 Population – Metropolitan Areas: 2009 - 2013 ... 27

Table 7 Population Projections for Canada: 2009/2010 to 2013-2014 ... 31

Table 8 Population of Provinces and Territories in Canada: 2009 - 2013 ... 31-32 Table 9 Populations – Population by Metropolitan Areas in Canada: 2009 - 2013 ... 32-33 Table 10 Employment by Provinces and Territories in Canada: 2009 - 2013 ... 34

Table 11 Employment by Metropolitan Areas in Canada: 2009 - 2013 ... 35-36 Table 12 Employment (Military Personnel) By Federal Government of Canada: 2009 - 2013 ... 37

Table 13 Gini coefficient of Population and Employment (Military Personnel): 2009 ... 38

Table 14 Gini coefficient of Population and Employment (Military Personnel): 2013 ... 40

Table 15 Gross Domestic Product by Provinces and Territories: 2009... 42

Table 16 Gross Domestic Product by Provinces and Territories: 2010... 43-44 Table 17 Gross Domestic Product by Provinces and Territories: 2011... 45

Table 20 House-hold Income by Metropolitan Area: 2009 ... 50-52 Table 21 House-hold Income by Metropolitan Area: 2010 ... 54-55 Table 22 House-hold Income by Metropolitan Area: 2011 ... 57-58 Table 23 House-hold Income by Metropolitan Area: 2012 ... 60-61 Table 24 House-hold Income by Metropolitan Area: 2013 ... 63-64 Table 25 Summary Statistics for Average Regional Income by Metropolitan Areas: 2009- 2013 ... 74

(7)

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 Five/three Regional Model of Canada ... 5

Figure 2 Multi-level Framework of Canada’s Regional Development ... 7

Figure 3 The Lorenze Curve ... 22

Figure 4 Map of Population Density, (By Census Division) ... 34

Figure 5 Unemployment Rates (Province and Territories ... 36

Figure 6 The Lorenze Curve of Population and Employment (Military Personnel) in the Provinces and Territories: 2009 ... 39

Figure 7 The Lorenz Curve of Population and Employment (Military Personnel) in the Provinces and Territories: 2013 ... 41

Figure 8 The Lorenze Curve of Income in the Provinces and Territories: 2010 ... 43

Figure 13 The Lorenze Curve of House-hold Income in Metropolitan Areas: 2009 ... 53

Figure 18 Map of Cholera Epidemic __ London: 1854 ... 69

Figure 19 Spatial Distribution and Unemployment Rates and Income-inequality ... 70

Figure 20 Mean Center: Spatial Distribution and Unemployment Rates and Income- inequality... 71

Figure 21 Standard Deviational Ellipse of Income-inequality in Canada ... 72

Figure 22 Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) Map of Average Income:2009- 2013 ... 78

Science Pledge

Science Pledge

ABSTRACT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Table of Contents

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

CHAPTER FIVE:

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES