A Space-Time Study for Mapping Quality of Life in Andalusia during the Crisis

Abstract

This paper explores the spatio-temporal structure of quality of life in Andalusia, Spain, and examines how it has changed from 2007 to 2011. To this end, we study quality of life at the local level using municipal data, develop a composite index of quality of life inspired by the capabilities approach and recent trends in well-being, and apply a space-time approach using spatial econometric techniques. Demographic indicators, income, high-speed networks, education and health have the greatest influence in determining quality of life in Andalusia. From 2007 to 2011, the overall quality of life in Andalusia worsened as a consequence of the crisis, but territorial disparities decreased. The quality of life in a municipality does not change randomly, but is determined by the municipality’s quality of life in the previous period and changes in the quality of life in neighbouring municipalities in both the same time period and in the past. Public policies should therefore take into account that both history and space matter in terms of quality of life.