Characteristics and resources of the urban environment and neighborhood satisfaction: Analysis of relationships from the individual's perception in the Brazilian context

Abstract

The way the environment affects the behavior and senses of individuals has been widely discussed. The experience with the particularities of the urban environment is an interaction between the individual and the environment, influenced by its characteristics that, consequently, affect the quality of life. This study aims to identify the relationships between neighborhood satisfaction and the variables associated with the characteristics and resources of the urban environment. The research adopted the Survey method for data collection, and as a data analysis technique, descriptive statistics and correlations were performed. Seventeen variables were analyzed, and the sample consisted of 426 respondents from the South, Southeast, and Midwest regions of the country, Brazilians over 18 years of age. The most significant correlations regarding neighborhood satisfaction were found in the following characteristics: the existence of good commerce, good schools, cultural activities, and green areas. It is possible to conclude that the individual seeks to meet their daily needs in the surroundings of their housing, that is, in the very neighborhood in which they live. Therefore, knowledge of the relationship between the urban environment and individual satisfaction plays an important role in developing cities and urban planning.

Keywords: neighborhood satisfaction, urban environment, urban planning, perception.