Suburban Residents’ Preferences for Livable Residential Area in Finland

Markku Karjalainen, Hüseyin Emre Ilgın, Lauri Metsäranta and Markku Norvasuo
Additional contact information
Markku Karjalainen: School of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, Tampere University, P.O. Box 600, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland
Hüseyin Emre Ilgın: School of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, Tampere University, P.O. Box 600, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland
Lauri Metsäranta: School of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, Tampere University, P.O. Box 600, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland
Markku Norvasuo: School of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, Tampere University, P.O. Box 600, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 21, 1-18

Abstract: This paper analyzed Finnish suburban residents’ preferences (including their perception of wood as a building material) for livable residential areas through a survey questionnaire. The 243 responses received highlighted the following: residents were generally satisfied with the general condition of their residence; the majority supported life in one- to two-story buildings and a low-density residential environment; living in the center was found more attractive by most; the most popular facade material was wood; considerations regarding the immediate environment, e.g., proximity to nature and child-friendly areas in the immediate vicinity, were evaluated as important parameters; participants’ attitudes towards the use of wood in construction were generally very positive; residents generally considered wooden buildings more beautiful, more environmentally friendly/ecological, and as having a healthier indoor climate than buildings made of non-wood materials; and fire safety and cost-competitiveness were issues of skepticism. It is believed that this study will provide insights to key stakeholders, e.g., architects, developers, policymakers, to better meet the needs of suburban apartment-dwellers.

Keywords: suburban residents; participative process; livable; residential area; wood/timber; Finland (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:21:p:11841-:d:665340

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