Purpose of Documenting Data Origin
This page explains the origin of the Cairo residential listings dataset to establish a clear understanding of its provenance and epistemic scope. The objective is to anchor interpretation in how the data comes into existence, not in what it might be assumed to represent.
Dataset origin is treated as a foundational constraint on all subsequent reading and use.
Platform-Visible Source Material
The dataset is derived from residential property listings that are publicly visible on connected digital platforms at a specific point in time. These listings are sourced as they are presented, without augmentation, verification, or enrichment beyond structural alignment.
As a result, the dataset reflects platform-mediated exposure rather than an inventory of residential housing.
Snapshot-Based Provenance
The dataset represents a single snapshot of listing visibility. It does not include historical records, future changes, or persistence of listings over time.
This provenance limits the dataset to momentary representation and excludes any notion of duration, stability, or evolution.
Dependence on Upstream Definitions
All attributes, categories, and geographic labels originate from upstream platform definitions and contributor-provided information. The dataset inherits these structures without reinterpretation.
Differences in platform taxonomy or contributor behavior therefore directly shape what the dataset contains.
Implications of Dataset Origin
Because the dataset originates from platform-visible listings, it excludes off-platform housing activity, informal residential segments, and unpublished properties. Absence within the dataset reflects lack of exposure at the time of collection, not absence of housing.
This page establishes provenance as a limiting factor that defines what the dataset can and cannot support.