Does the neighbourhood matter for neighbourhood satisfaction? A meta-analysis

Abstract

Urbanists are keenly interested in individuals’ satisfaction with their neighbourhoods, and especially in the determinants of satisfaction. To the extent that we all want to be satisfied with our neighbourhoods, this work has an important practical application, providing guidance to planners, developers, local leaders and others on how to build satisfying neighbourhoods. However, do neighbourhoods matter for neighbourhood satisfaction? This study answers that question using a meta-analysis to pool 126 estimates from 27 studies of the association between neighbourhoods and neighbourhood satisfaction. I find that neighbourhoods do matter for neighbourhood satisfaction, but that their direct effect is weak. I consider several possible explanations for this finding, and discuss the practical significance of calling into question whether changes to a neighbourhood’s built or social environment can meaningfully improve residents’ neighbourhood satisfaction.