HOUSING ENVIRONMENT, RESIDENTIAL SATISFACTION AND MOBILITY INTENTIONS

Abstract

Residential mobility is a feature of many urban societies. Although moves in Singapore had in the past been massive, they are usually associated with urban renewal. Much less is known about moves due to other reasons. In recent years, however, there has been a growing concern with the impact of living environment on residents' move inclinations. Deficiencies within the housing environment are believed to be the underlying factors causing out-movements in old housing estates leading to incipient decline. In the absence of any systematic studies, the notion cannot be affirmed or dispelled, remaining largely a matter for speculation. The current study takes upon itself to address this unresolved issue. Adopting a case study approach, it looks at the environmental complaints, satisfaction and mobility inclinations of residents in Queenstown. An attempt is made to test the relatedness of environmental complaints with residential satisfaction and the latter with move inclinations using correlation technique. Results from the study show that the philosophy that "old is bad" has not significantly imbued the residents of Queenstown, with the majority still showing satisfaction with the housing environment. The study further suggests that housing satisfaction (or discontent) is affected by certain housing attributes. The strength of which varies from variable to variable, with factors like bedroom space, open spaces and access to work place being highly regarded by the residents. Residential satisfaction is, in turn, found to be in fairly close relation with the residents' move intentions. The findings suggest that the neighbourhood satisfaction is the better barometer of move potential than dwelling and locational satisfaction and is probably a more important precipitant of move itself.