This research developed a method of measuring residential satisfaction levels with precision, and sought to identify to element of residential satisfaction in a structured manner using a developed method. The purpose of this research is to draw out ke...
This research developed a method of measuring residential satisfaction levels with precision, and sought to identify to element of residential satisfaction in a structured manner using a developed method. The purpose of this research is to draw out key implications pertaining to the direction of housing policy in the future.
Accordingly, this research is comprised of a residential satisfaction process, residential satisfaction theory, a review of previous study, setting a research framework, a method of analysis and a analysis of research results and conclusions.
Firstly, the residential satisfaction process and residential satisfaction theory were subjected to close examination. The research shows that what determines residential satisfaction levels are not simple, and that intention is selected after undergoing a specific process. Satisfaction level is merely a reflection of the interest level towards a perceived situation, but it is manifested after going through specific stages instead of manifesting itself through instantaneous reaction.
Secondly, previous studies were subjected to close examination. To design a research framework for residential satisfaction, examination of both domestic and overseas research trends is required. Accordingly, 18 overseas research papers and 31 domestic research papers related to residential satisfaction up until recently were subjected to analysis to examine independent and dependent variables.
Thirdly, the research framework was designed. Builder, type of owner, floor, apartment scale, and apartment complex scale that best reflect the reality of housing issues were selected as independent variables. As for dependent variables, residential satisfaction level was selected. Sub elements of the residential satisfaction level, were apartment section, apartment complex section, neighborhood section, management section, and economic standard section.
Fourthly, a new analysis method was used to measure the residential satisfaction level. In this research, to conduct a accurate analysis of the residential satisfaction level, weight values were assigned to each section of apartment and elements of each section. In the first stage, paired -comparative analysis of Analytic Hierarchy Process, which is one of the subjective weight applying methods, was applied onto weight value assignment pertaining to apartment section. Assignment of weight values for elements for each section pertaining to the second stage used Regression analysis among quantitative weight value assignment methods.
Fifth, residential satisfaction level following residents’ characteristics, and level of importance for each section of apartment and residential satisfaction level following apartment characteristics were analyzed by applying the weight method. Implications for housing policy and policy direction suggested by dividing into residential satisfaction levels following levels of importance and apartment characteristics by each section of apartment based on the characteristics that appeared through analysis conducted on residential satisfaction are as followed;
1) Level of importance for each section and direction of housing policy
Firstly, apartment residents upheld residential facilities and comfort in the apartment section, followed by residential structure, state of construction and pleasantness. Accordingly, housing construction policy focused on residential facilities such as public bath houses, restrooms, waterworks, kitchens and so forth should be pursued steadily to enhance residential satisfaction levels.
Secondly, apartment residents upheld leisure facilities in apartment complex sections above all, followed by neighbor relations. The level of importance pertaining to apartment complex facilities, landscaping, and exterior of apartment scored relatively lower. Accordingly, focus should be on constructing apartments that are focused on pavilion for senior citizens, playgrounds for children and rest facilities.
Thirdly, apartment residents upheld education environment in the neighborhood section above all, followed by natural environment. The level of importance for traffic conditions and public convenience facilities come in relatively lower. Accordingly, apartment construction policy after factoring in school zone, education environment and distance to school should be pursued when selecting location.
Fourthly, apartment residents upheld parking facilities in the management section above all, followed by safety. Therefore, the policy of securing sufficient parking space should be pursued.
Fifth, apartment residents upheld ease of apartment trading (sales/purchase) in the economic standard section above all, followed by the apartment value. Pro-rating is necessary since there is a tendency to consider apartments as more temporary housing compared to a permanent abode.
2) Residential satisfaction level and direction of housing policy following apartment characteristics
Firstly, the rejection of the idea that residential satisfaction level would be higher for private-apartment than public-apartments makes it possible to forecast that residents’level of satisfaction according to income group is reflected. Since low income groups selected low price public-apartments that are appropriate for their level, they may have a perceived sense of satisfaction, and group with higher income is deemed as perceiving a sense of satisfaction by selecting high price housing. Accordingly, construction that builds public-apartments should focus on building quality, yet low priced housing that enables low income groups to obtain apartments.
Secondly, research on the residential satisfaction level for type of owner shows that the residential satisfaction level of apartment owner is higher than that of tenants. This result signifies that the Koreans tend to have high expectations for and have strong desire to own their own house. Accordingly, this implies the need for housing construction policy that can significantly increase the non home owners ability to obtain housing.
Thirdly, hypothesis 3 that assumed that residential satisfaction level would be higher among high-rise apartment residents compared to low-rise apartment residents was rejected. This result may be interpreted as manifesting a similar satisfaction level since both high and low rise apartments offer advantages and disadvantages. Accordingly, apartment construction policy that entails building 15 to 20 floor apartments as today should be continued. However, it is necessary to exert caution when it comes to super high rise apartments that tend to aggravate disputes among apartments and residents in the vicinity for the right to enjoy sunshine.
Fourthly, satisfaction levels increased as the housing size increased. This result implies that it is necessary to increase the percentage of larger apartment construction. Housing construction policy that is in proportion to increase in income level adjusts the size of apartment (small, medium or large) appropriately. However, it is necessary to increase supply of larger apartments in an incremental manner in line with the overall increase in Koreans' income.
Fifth, hypothesis 5 that assumed "residential satisfaction level would be higher as apartment complex scale is higher" was rejected. Although the residential satisfaction level was slightly higher as the size of apartment complex scale was larger, but the fact that the difference is not significant shows that there is a correlation with the characteristics of the city subject to research. The population of Jinju City is small, and the distribution of apartments is dense whereas streets are not wide. Due to the ease of accessing convenience facilities, the difference in residential satisfaction following apartment complex scale is perceived as low. Accordingly, current trends whereby both housing construction and private construction companies are focused on construction of large scale apartment as the size of capital increases should be left as is.
3) Limitation of this research and the need for subsequent research
This research is limited to Jinju City in terms of geography. Compared to large cities such as Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon and so forth, Jinju City may be considered as a region whereby seriousness of apartment section is relatively lower. Accordingly, this research is relatively limited in recommending the direction of housing policy or for generalizing its findings.
As for the methods used in this research, if and when the apartment residential satisfaction level of various areas is measured after expanding the scope of research, weight values pertaining to each section of apartment and element for each section will vary according to regional characteristics. Therefore, if it would be possible to discern the type of apartment preferred through change in weight values of each region, recommending detailed and realistic housing policy and improvement measures by region may be possible.