Podcast: Spatial Inequalites in Deprived Urban Areas

Welcome to the second episode of the Geoversity Podcast!

In this episode, host Brad Hillas speaks with Professor Monika Kuffer from the Faculty of Geoinformation Science and Earth Observation at the University of Twente about her work in urban planning, geospatial data, and its connection to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Professor Kuffer discusses how her research contributes to making cities more inclusive, livable, and sustainable. She explains how geospatial data can track inequalities, improve urban decision-making, and empower local communities. She also highlights how data can give a voice to vulnerable communities most threatened by climate change and why, despite advances in AI-powered models, human verification remains essential.

Her personal stories from her career provide eye-opening insights into the challenges of urban deprivation and spatial inequalities.

Topics covered:

• How slum mapping helps urban planning
• The impact of evictions and climate policies on vulnerable communities
• AI and citizen-generated data for more accurate urban analytics
• Why global datasets often fail to reflect reality in deprived areas

Listen now to explore how data, technology, and community engagement are shaping the future of cities worldwide!

You can also watch the video version of this episode in our first Vodcast! The episode is enriched with footage from Monika's personal archive, along with powerful photos from various sources, bringing these stories to life. Check out our vodcast here.