Analyzing the Relationships between Citizens’ Emotions and their Momentary Satisfaction in Urban Public Spaces

Minou Weijs-Perrée, Gamze Dane and Pauline van den Berg
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Minou Weijs-Perrée: Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Gamze Dane: Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Pauline van den Berg: Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 19, 1-20

Abstract: It is recognized that the urban environment, and specifically better-experienced urban public space, contribute to people’s subjective well-being. However, research on people’s momentary subjective well-being (i.e., emotional state) in relation to the multiple aspects of urban public spaces is still limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze people’s emotional state and how this is influenced by the momentary satisfaction with urban public spaces, and also controlling for personal and experience characteristics. Data of 1056 momentary experiences of 161 citizens regarding the urban public space in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, were collected by means of an experience sampling method (ESM). These data were analyzed using a mixed multinomial logit (MMNL) model for each dimension of people’s momentary subjective well-being (i.e., sense of security, comfort, happiness, and annoyance). Results of this study showed that people were happier when they were satisfied with the atmosphere of the public space and felt more secure, comfortable, and less annoyed when they were more satisfied with traffic safety. Results could be used by policymakers and urban planners to create inclusive urban public spaces where people have more positive experiences, which eventually could lead to happier, comfortable, more secure and less annoyed citizens.

Keywords: urban experience; urban public space; emotions; momentary subjective well-being (SWB); geotagging (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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