scholarly journals QUALITY OF URBAN LIFE: IDENTIFICATION OF LIVABLE URBAN SPACES WITHIN MUMBAI METROPOLITAN REGION

Author(s):  
N. Gawai ◽  
A. Phadke

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> The quality of urban life has become one of the most pertinent issues in contemporary times in India. There have been several reports published by government and nongovernmental agencies listing out various dimensions of quality of urban life but in a half-hearted manner as some reports have focused just upon the quality of urban air or some governmental reports talk about Human Development Index. There has hardly been any holistic effort to scale the quality of urban life in terms of economic, social, cultural, environmental and psychological well-being. Unless all these parameters are combined, one cannot furnish the livability index of micro urban spaces within major metropolitan regions. The calculation of livability index thus needs to take into account environmental, socio-economic and mental dimensions. The environment related data has been achieved by extracting NDVI through LANDSAT satellite imagery for the month of May, 2018. NDVI has been used for calculating green spaces index. The data related to socio-economic parameters have been collected through primary and secondary sources of data. The data related to psychological health is gathered through questionnaire survey and personal interviews. Ranking based index calculation has been applied to arrive at a common livability index of select sub spaces in Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The outcomes are very interesting and helpful in comparative analysis of select sub-spaces vis-à-vis quality of life. It has also helped in the identification of stressed sub-regional or micro spaces. Such livability index will be highly useful in regional and urban planning. The research aims at calculating livability index for select sub-regional spaces in Mumbai Metropolitan Region.</p>

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Abdul Mohit ◽  
Mohamed Sajid Ali

This paper is based on the subjective perception of the residents about the neighbourhood environment and their quality of urban life. The neighbourhood satisfaction provides a generalized view into the well-being of the residents, and it has been viewed as a significant aspect of the quality of urban life (QOUL). As a contributor to life satisfaction, neighbourhood satisfaction is influenced by individual and household socio-economic variables, along with the neighbourhood characteristics. However, there is limited understanding of how neighbourhood environments influence neighbourhood satisfaction and the quality of urban life. This paper intends to examine the relationship between residents’ neighbourhood satisfaction and their quality of urban life in a middle-income housing area in Kuala Lumpur City, Malaysia, by using 100 sample respondents that fulfilled a confidence level of 90% of the population. The findings of the study indicate that the residents are satisfied with their existing QOUL, but if no actions are taken it will deteriorate. Therefore, several recommendations are made for improving the residents’ QOUL.


2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Abdul Mohit ◽  
Mohamed Sajid Ali

This paper is based on the subjective perception of the residents about the neighbourhood environment and their quality of urban life. The neighbourhood satisfaction provides a generalized view into the well-being of the residents, and it has been viewed as a significant aspect of the quality of urban life (QOUL). As a contributor to life satisfaction, neighbourhood satisfaction is influenced by individual and household socio-economic variables, along with the neighbourhood characteristics. However, there is limited understanding of how neighbourhood environments influence neighbourhood satisfaction and the quality of urban life. This paper intends to examine the relationship between residents’ neighbourhood satisfaction and their quality of urban life in a middle-income housing area in Kuala Lumpur City, Malaysia, by using 100 sample respondents that fulfilled a confidence level of 90% of the population. The findings of the study indicate that the residents are satisfied with their existing QOUL, but if no actions are taken it will deteriorate. Therefore, several recommendations are made for improving the residents’ QOUL.


2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
František Murgaš ◽  
Michal Klobučník

AbstractQuality of life research responds to the growth of urbanization in the world by increasing the focus on the quality of urban life; however, the dominant applied research tends to be without conceptualization of the quality of urban life. The aim of this paper is to answer the question whether the quality of urban life exists as an original, separate part of the concept of quality of life, or whether only the quality of life or the well-being of a certain city exists. The authors argue that the quality of urban life exists as an original category of quality of life and their beliefs are based on the fact that it can be measured separately. The quality of urban life is holistic, co-existing with the quality of life. The city from the point of view of quality of life research is a place, and the quality of urban life is the satisfaction with life in a city and the quality of place in it. This approach is applied to the quality of urban life and its measurement in the city of Liberec. The results are implications for policy-makers and urbanists.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clair Cooper

&lt;p&gt;An increased awareness of the way in which urbanisation, climate change, a reduction in the quality, quantity of and access to green space and natural infrastructure (such as blue spaces) all interact to threaten health and well-being of urban populations (Nesshover, et al, 2017; Kabisch &amp; van de Bosch, 2017) has led to the emergence of a new conceptual framework, Nature-based Solutions. Through the management and use of nature, this concept aims to co-produce ecosystems services that not only allow cities to mitigate and adapt against the effects of climate change and increased urbanisation, but also reduce the public health risks associated with these challenges(WHO, 2016, 2017; Hartig at el. 2014; Kabisch et al. 2017), stimulate economies to improve inequality in cities (Nesshover, et al, 2017) and improve the quality of urban life (Mitchel &amp; Popham, 2008; Mitchell et al. 2015). Using data from the Urban Nature Atlas, a database of a 1000 nature-based solutions from across a 100 European cities, this paper examines how the differing characteristics of these solutions (such as their ecological domains, ecosystems services, forms of governance, innovation, etc) are clustered and how the characteristics of these clusters relate to different social, economic and health factors that influence quality of life in our cities.&lt;/p&gt;


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara Vukovic ◽  
Ashraf M. Salama ◽  
Biserka Mitrovic ◽  
Mirjana Devetakovic

PurposeThis paper interrogates the impact of spatial transformations on urban life. It explores the level of individual and group satisfaction and sense of well-being within the urban public realm; this is undertaken by reporting on the outcomes of an assessment study of three key public open spaces in Belgrade, developed from a quality of urban life (QoUL) perspective.Design/methodology/approachA systematic multilevel assessment method is utilised, with the aim of determining the material and immaterial elements that can contribute to an individual's sense of comfort within a public space. The study places emphasis on the functional, social and perceptual attributes as they relate to the physical characteristics of three assessed spaces.FindingsThe assessment study resulted in a systematic overview of the different attributes of the three assessed spaces. With various performance levels within each set of attributes, the study identifies key challenges and problems that could lead towards determining possible opportunities for future local urban interventions and developmental actions.Originality/valueWith the shifts in policies and the associated governance process that redefined the outlook of previously enforced development and urban growth in the last two decades, the capital of Serbia, Belgrade, has undergone significant spatial changes. This has resulted in a certain level of fragmentation in the urban fabric, leading to a number of challenges concerning public health, well-being, safety, accessibility, comfort and urban mobility, to name a few, that need to be better addressed and understood within the local context.


Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 724
Author(s):  
Alicja K. Zawadzka

The paper presents the results of a study on the attractiveness to tourists and natives of the cultural qualities of coastal towns on The Pomeranian Way of St. James that are members of the Cittaslow network. Attention to the quality of urban life is inscribed in the development policies of towns applying to join the Cittaslow movement. In order to join the network (apart from the size criterion), towns need to meet a minimum of 50% plus one of the 72 criteria grouped into seven categories. One of the category is Quality of Urban Life Policy, so the towns applying to join Cittaslow commit themselves to actions aimed at improving the quality of urban life. The study on the attractiveness of cultural qualities of towns to tourists and natives was conducted using the author’s BRB method, whose added value is its universality and the possibility to study small towns regardless of their membership in the Cittaslow network. BRB is an acronym that stands for BUILDINGS, RELATIONSHIPS, BALANCE, and comprises three scopes of activities: BUILDINGS (iconic building and important sites where the inhabitants and the tourists are present); RELATIONSHIPS (the visual effects of the relations between the inhabitants and the town) and BALANCE (solutions that implement modern technologies). This method enables identification of places that are important to the inhabitants, where urban life takes place and which are often created with the involvement of the inhabitants. These are often the same spaces as those that attract tourists and perhaps stimulate them the desire to visit the town again (BRB—be right back). The aim of the BRB method is shown the attractiveness of small towns. The study has shown that the characteristic feature of Polish Cittaslow towns is their diversity: the architectural attractiveness of three towns is high both to tourists and natives. On the other hand, the urban attractiveness of the examined towns is an insufficient.


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. McFarquhar ◽  
A. Bowling

Aims:To investigate the relationship between psychological well-being and measures of active ageing in a British sample of older people. Active ageing is the process of optimising opportunities for health, participation and security to embrace quality of life as people age.Methods:A national survey of quality of life and psychological well-being including 999 people aged ≥65 years living in private households in Britain commenced in 1999. in the most recent follow up of 2007, 323 survivors aged ≥72 years completed a postal survey regarding their quality of life and specifically the process of active ageing. A subset of 42 participants was also interviewed qualitatively in 2008 about their perceptions of active ageing. Psychological well-being at baseline was measured using the 12 item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12) and correlated with measures of active ageing at baseline and in subsequent follow ups. Measures of active ageing included number and frequency of leisure and social activities, physical ability and access to support networks.Results:A significant positive relationship between psychological well being and measures of active ageing was found at baseline (p< 0.05). Measure of active ageing in 2007 were also correlated with psychological well-being at baseline (p< 0.05). Qualitative interviews in 2008 provided additional insights into this relationship.Conclusions:Results suggesting a strong relationship between psychological health and ageing actively. Good psychological health may allow the elderly to maintain an active and fulfilling lifestyle and reduce isolation and dependence, which in turn may protect against some aspects of poor mental health.


2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
XI PAN ◽  
JASLEEN K. CHAHAL ◽  
ROSE MARIE WARD

ABSTRACTThe concept of quality of urban life (QoUL) can be interpreted quite differently across different cultures. Little evidence has shown that the measure of QoUL, which is based on Western culture, can be applied to populations cross-culturally. In the current study, we use data from the 2006 Assessing Happiness and Competitiveness of World Major Metropolises study to identify underlying factors associated with QoUL as well as assess the consistency of the QoUL measurement among adults, aged 60 and older, in ten world major metropolises (i.e. New York City, Toronto, London, Paris, Milan, Berlin, Stockholm, Beijing, Tokyo and Seoul). Exploratory factor analysis and multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) are used to analyse the data. Findings of the study suggest that the measure of QoUL is sensitive to socio-cultural differences. Community factor and intrapersonal factor are two underlying structures that are related to QoUL among older adults in ten metropolises cross-culturally. Results from the CFA indicate that Toronto is comparable with Beijing, New York City, Paris, Milan and Stockholm in QoUL, while other cities are not. The results provide insights into the development of current urban policy and promotion of quality of life among older residents in major metropolitan areas. Future researchers should continue to explore the relationship between QoUL and socio-cultural differences within international urban settings, while remaining cautious when making cross-cultural comparisons.


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