Measuring Neighborhood Quality of Life: Placed-Based Sustainability Indicators in Freiburg, Germany

There has been a recent upswing of academic interest in the social dimensions of sustainable cities, especially the dynamics of Quality of Life (QoL), Environmental Equity, Ecosystem Services, Eco-Friendliness, Public Engagement, and Well-Being and Happiness Indicators. These factors are only now be...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Craig A. Talmage, Bjoern Hagen, David Pijawka, Cara Nassar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2018-10-01
Series:Urban Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/2/4/106
Description
Summary:There has been a recent upswing of academic interest in the social dimensions of sustainable cities, especially the dynamics of Quality of Life (QoL), Environmental Equity, Ecosystem Services, Eco-Friendliness, Public Engagement, and Well-Being and Happiness Indicators. These factors are only now being evaluated as critical aspects of sustainable place-making and community development. This paper explores the social dimensions of neighborhood development in what some believe to be one of the most sustainable cities—Freiberg, Germany. We look at two neighborhoods that were specifically designed and built with sustainability principles and practices at their core. The authors surveyed residents of these neighborhoods to measure their levels of well-being, satisfaction with place, and other important QoL factors. Quantitative data was ascertained from residents using a survey questionnaire. The results show a high correlation between QoL factors as a function of place-making and sustainability practice.
ISSN:2413-8851