A conceptual model of resident satisfaction with reference to neighborhood composition

Abstract

Paper presented at the XXXIII IAHS World Congress on Housing, 27-30 September 2005,"Transforming Housing Environments through Design", University of Pretoria.

This paper draws upon the results of a previous research conducted by the author on the effects of cultural differences on private outside space satisfaction in Texas, USA. Private outside space in the study is defined as the immediate outdoor environments of single family, detached dwellings. Among other findings, the study indicates that private outside space satisfaction is affected by the cultural differences of residents and the cultural composition of a neighborhood. Despite this evidence of the apparent negative effects of cultural factors on satisfaction, the study indicates an increased level of tolerance and fewer differences in social relations among residents in predominantly heterogeneous neighborhoods compared to those in predominantly homogeneous neighborhoods. The author proposes a theoretical model in this paper for comparison of resident satisfaction between culturally homogeneous and heterogeneous neighborhoods both on short-term and long-term basis. Using the model, the study explains that even though resident satisfaction in heterogeneous neighborhoods is indicated to be low at present, the level of satisfaction is likely to increase considerably over time in these types of residential neighborhood, making them a socially viable alternative to homogeneous neighborhoods.