Housing qualities and wellbeing. Possible negative consequences of densification

The study is an argument for not ease up requirements for housing qualities in the densification of residential areas. This can lead to unstable living environments and negative social consequences.

Background
People’s residence is an important prerequisite for health and wellbeing. In Norway the housing standard is generally high. However, the recent housing policy with an emphasis on efficient land use and the removal of requirements for housing qualities such as daylight and sunshine indoors can lead to a deterioration of conditions that are important for people’s health. The purpose of this study is to contribute to new knowledge about the relation between various housing qualities and subjective wellbeing. The study focuses on housing qualities that provide an opportunity to strengthen and regain psychological resources in everyday life, such as security, being able to retreat and having privacy, and having the opportunity to rest and recover from everyday stress.
Methods
Our empirical analyses are derived using data from the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) conducted in 2018 (N=5981). Two different measures of subjective wellbeing were used; affective wellbeing measured with the MHI-5 scale, and satisfaction with life (single question). The housing quality was identified both through qualities of the housing (disposition form, type of residency, subjective evaluation of the housing size, problems with daylight, access to terrasse/ balcony, problems with noise indoors) and the neighborhood (access to garden, safe traffic conditions, problems with air pollution, noise or criminality).
Results
The main findings show that qualities of the housing itself are important for both affective wellbeing and life satisfaction, while qualities of the neighborhood are primarily important for affective quality of life. Alongside living in a rental property and living in a house that is perceived as too small or too large, there is particularly a lack of access to daylight and problems with noise inside the home that contribute to a reduced wellbeing. Perceived problems with crime, violence and vandalism in the neighborhood are associated with lower scores on both forms of wellbeing. In addition, unsafe traffic conditions and problems with air and noise pollution in the neighborhood is associated with more negative affective wellbeing.
Conclusions
This study highlights the significance of people’s opportunity to own their own residence, and not ease up minimum requirements for residence size and the access of daylight indoors. The noise level and traffic safety should be prioritized in residential areas. Many of the housing qualities that are associated with wellbeing in this study pose greater challenges in densely built areas. Thus, there is a risk if efficient land use comes at the expense of housing qualities. More knowledge is needed about the significance of different housing qualities for health and wellbeing.