Analyzing the relationship between place attachment and residential satisfaction through the mediation of social capital- the case of affordable housing

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a rapid urbanization trend observed in many countries. This trend poses sustainable development in the long run due to various urban problems. The Iranian government launched a project of affordable housing for low-income residents in response to this rapid urbanization. As different social issues arose after mass affordable housing was implemented in Iran, it is important to assess residents’ place attachment to these projects and their impacts on residents’ satisfaction. This study therefore served two distinct objectives. The study’s first objective was to determine whether place attachment is related to residential satisfaction. In addition, this study examined the mediating role of social capital between place attachment and residential satisfaction. The study used data gathered from residents of Mehr affordable housing in Pardis, Tehran, to examine the relationship between place attachment and residential satisfaction through the mediation of social capital. This was achieved by surveying 370 residents of Mehr affordable housing in Pardis and then analyzing the collected data using structural equation modeling. Considering the data, the model demonstrated appropriate goodness of fit. Place attachment was found to have a relationship with residential satisfaction. Additionally, the research found that social capital mediates the relationship between these two variables. These findings suggest that policymakers should prioritize strategies to foster place attachment and social capital to ensure long-term satisfaction and sustainability of affordable housing projects. This can be achieved through creating attractive and accessible social spaces, promoting social interaction, and incorporation of necessary amenities within affordable housing projects.