Assessment of Residential Environment Quality of Single-Person Households by Age Groups in Urban China

Abstract

This research is to explore the residential environment quality of single-person households in urban China, to identify their distinctions by five age groups and to determine factors affecting their satisfactions with housing and residential environment. Using a questionnaire survey, this cross-sectional study utilized 501 responses for statistical analysis. The results showed that most respondents were salaried workers aged 40s with a college degree, and homeowners living in old apartments with 2 to 3 bedrooms. The participants with lower income spent more housing expenses which decreased their housing satisfaction. Also, it’s found that the age groups of 30s and over 60s had higher housing satisfaction than other groups while the age range of 20s had lower satisfaction. The group aged over 60s had higher satisfaction with residential environment and 50s was dissatisfied with it. The regression analysis indicated that the assessment of residential environment was largely affected by housing satisfaction. Besides, educational attainment, employment status and position, and income of the households were interrelated and had positive impacts on living conditions which in turn influenced satisfactions with both housing quality and residential environment. Thus, the findings imply that it’s significant to develop housing programs that socially and economically support solo households.