Abstract:
Spatial evaluation of the region is associated with the assessment of the Quality of Life
(QoL). Despite numerous research endeavoring to define, measure, quantify, and map the
quality of life, there exists a consistent fault in Sri Lanka. Hence, the objective of this study
was to construct a QoL index and determine the spatial disparities of QoL from the Polpitigma
town to its periphery. The assessment was conducted by employing 20 geographical
factors that quantify QoL using the Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The evaluation
assigned weights to each criterion based on the assessments of both local residents and
experts, utilizing the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and the Analytical Hierarchy
Process (AHP). The findings indicated that cultural factors made a greater contribution compared
to the environment,service functions,security and socioeconomic factors. Within the
study area, the region with a higher quality of life (HQoL) only covered 4.5% (17.3 km2),
whilst the lower QoL zone encompassed 63.8% (252 km2). And also, the distance from the
town is a crucial factor in determining the spatial variations in QoL. The derived model can
serve as a road map for local-level planning, as it has been validated and shown to have an
accuracy of 74% through the Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Considering
the lack of previous research in this field, this study offers a crucial contribution in enhancing
the QoL for underprivileged communities in the study area by improving employment,
income, and accessibility to physical infrastructure, public utility services, and cultural and
recreational facilities. Especially the findings of this study can efficiently guide decisions for
the distribution of financial resources to enhance the QoL in impoverished rural communities
on the rural periphery of DS.
