근린환경의 변화가 지역주민의 행복감에 미치는 영향 분석: 경기도 지역사회 건강조사 2013자료를 중심으로

Abstract

Previous studies have found that built environments play an important role in residents’ subjective well-being (SWB). However, only a few studies have addressed changes in neighborhood environments across time. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the effects of neighborhood environmental changes on residents’ happiness, using data obtained from the Community Health Survey 2013 of Gyeonggi Province, Korea. Characteristics at the individual, household and neighborhood levels are adopted as independent variables, with socioeconomic and built environment factors at the neighborhood level. This study used multi-level regression models to consider individual and household levels as well as neighborhood levels. The results indicate that individual and household characteristics as well as neighborhood level variables have significant effects on residents’ happiness. With regard to neighborhood characteristics, this study has found that residents’ happiness levels are negatively affected by increases in aged population, number of old buildings and commercial land use. In contrast, an increase in industrial land use area, which possibly enhances community economic vitality in Gyeonggi Province, is positively associated with residents’ happiness. These findings suggest that physical urban regeneration and reinvigoration of local economy, through the creation of job opportunities, may increase residents‘ happiness levels and promote SWB.