Areabased

Areabased describes approaches and analyses organized around defined geographic areas rather than individuals. This can refer to planning, policy delivery, market analysis, or program design that targets neighborhoods, districts, or other spatial units.

In urban planning and regeneration, area-based methods aim to direct resources to places with greater need or potential. In public health and education, area-based planning groups interventions by local areas to monitor outcomes and tailor services.

Implementation typically relies on geographic information systems and spatial units such as census tracts, neighbourhoods, or postal codes. Indicators may include deprivation indices, employment rates, and health statistics aggregated at the area level.

History and context: Area-based approaches have been used globally, with notable adoption in many countries' regeneration and social policy programs since the late 20th century. They are often contrasted with person-based or service-based approaches.

Criticisms include potential stigma for places, aggregation bias that hides within-area variation, and the risk that area-based funding can misalign with individual needs. Proponents emphasize co-design with residents and flexibility in targeting.

Related concepts include place-based policy, geographic information systems, and deprivation indices.