Post-relocation Residential Satisfaction of Informal Settlements: a Comparative Study of Social Housing in Colombia and Chile

Abstract

Recent research indicates a positive link between residential satisfaction post-relocation from informal settlements to social housing and national socioeconomic conditions. The objective is to study this relationship in Latin America, through quantitative analysis of two cases, one in Manizales, Colombia and another in Concepción, Chile. According to the theoretical framework, lower satisfaction with housing, the neighborhood, the neighbors and the residential environment in general is predicted in the case of Manizales, due to greater perceived deficits in security, social relationships, housing expenses, spatial attributes and environmental comfort. The information is collected with surveys and analyzed with comparative statistical tests and logistic regression. The results reveal that, contrary to what was hypothesized, satisfaction with the neighborhood and with the residential environment in general is significantly lower in the case of Concepción, mainly due to a more negative perception of security, adaptability and comfort of housing.