How Cities Study Quality of Life and Use This Information: Results of an Empirical Study

Abstract

Quality-of-life surveys can play an important role in obtaining information for sustainable urban development. To collect such data, a proper understanding and preparation of these surveys by city offices are needed. The research team developed a research concept to investigate how city offices conduct quality-of-life surveys and use this information. The paper presents the results of a survey conducted on a sample of all cities with a population over 50,000 in Poland. The surveyed cities were divided into two groups, cities that conduct formalized quality-of-life surveys and cities that do not conduct such surveys. The survey examined how cities understand the areas that affect quality of life and how they determine the influence of the local government on the quality of life of residents. Similarities and differences were considered in the two groups of offices surveyed. The necessity of including a large number of areas that affect the quality of life in the surveys conducted by cities was emphasized. Such an approach provides an opportunity to collect a variety of data that can be used for the city’s needs. It was found that cities conducting formalized quality-of-life surveys stand definitely higher in determining the impact of the local government on the quality of life of residents.