Analysis of Residents’ Satisfaction Levels with Housing and Residential Environment of Six Occupied Housing Estates in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Poor housing and poor environmental quality have been associated with adverse effects on health of residents and their quality of life, emotional and psychological well-being. The quality of housing and building environment is therefore essential for residents’ residential satisfaction. This study analysises and examines the satisfaction levels of residents with housing and neighbourhood /building environment of six occupied housing estates in Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria. Data were collected in 2018 from six (6) housing estates located at; Oluku, Ugbowo, Oregbeni, Ikpoba Hill, Iyekogba-Ebo and Evbuoriaria. The data was obtained from sources within the study area using questionnaires, personal interviews and physical observations. The statistical tools used for analysis of data include: means, standard deviations, and categorical regression analysis. The results showed that there are variations in Relative Satisfaction Index (RSI) scores across the environmental dimensions examined for both the older and relatively newer estates. For the relatively newer estates such as Iyekogba, Oluku and Andrew Wilson result revealed that the residents are quite satisfied with Allocation for Recreation Centre (RCT) and Condition of Overcrowding (CO) with RSI scores ranging from 3.00-4.711; while those for the older estates such as Ikpoba Hill, BDPA and Oregbeni also appeared fairly satisfied 3.00-3.5. Regarding Condition of Overcrowding (CO), Refuse Disposal (RD), Level of Noise Pollution (LNP), Clean Kept Surrounding (CKS), Erosion Effect (EE), and Quality of Water (QW). Findings further revealed that RSI scores for the residents in Iyekogba, Andrew Wilson and Oluku are ranked higher indicating better satisfaction levels when compared to the RSI scores for the older estates. The results of Categorical Regression Analysis revealed that the estates environmental indicators impact positively and significantly at 5 percent (p= 0.003) on the satisfaction levels of residents. Hence efforts at improving environment of the state will directly influence residents’ satisfaction. Some measures that could enhance the quality of building environment and hence the satisfaction of residents were recommended. The study concludes that good planning and management of public housing estates are very vital because living in a decent housing and environment would lead to residents’ higher satisfaction level.