Sense of Community And Demographic Factors As Predictors Of Neighbourhood Satisfaction

Abstract

Neighbourhoods are studies because that is the place people spend the largest portion of their time. That probably explain the interest that researchers and policy makers have developed in neighbourhood satisfaction studies over the last couple of decades. In many studies on neighbourhood satisfaction a diverse range of factors have been identified as playing significant roles in its outcome. These range from the physical attributes of the neighbourhood to demographic factors and also to such concepts as sense of community. This study investigate the combined effect of demographic factors and sense of community elements in predicting neighbourhood satisfaction. The study employed quantitative methods to obtain data on the relevant variables using the survey method. Out of 1400 questionnaires distributed 1132 were returned and analyzed. The study found that of the selected demographic factors only level of education significantly predicted neighbourhood satisfaction. Of the elements of sense of community: membership, integration and fulfillment of needs and shared emotional connection were found to be significant predictors of neighbourhood satisfaction. The study supports earlier studies on certain predictors of neighbourhood satisfaction. While suggesting that many more factors may actually be relevant in its prediction.