Small Town Residential Satisfaction in the Springfield, Missouri Msa

Date of Graduation

Spring 1987

Degree

Master of Science in Geospatial Sciences

Department

Geography, Geology, and Planning

Committee Chair

William Cheek

Abstract

The topic of residential satisfaction has been studied by various sociologists, geographers, and demographers. Their primary objectives were to find trends or relationships between residential satisfaction and other variables with some potential use in planning applications. This study of residential satisfaction was specifically designed for application to planning. The study focused on four small but rapidly growing towns located near a larger central city. The study goals were: (1) to determine the factors providing residential satisfaction, (2) to determine the major concerns in each community which may affect residential satisfaction, and (3) to make planning recommendations based on the study findings. A survey of approximately 10,000 residents of the four towns were used to provide data necessary to accomplish these goals. The results indicated similar problems and factors of residential satisfaction in the four towns. The respondents identified more privacy/less crowded, quality of schools, and low crime rates as the most important factors. The two greatest concerns were rapid community growth and lack of job opportunities. The analyses were based on the statistical techniques of computer processed routines using frequencies and cross-tabulations. This information is useful to planners in determing community problems, needs, and desires, and can serve as a starting point for developing initial community goals and objectives. The survey questionnaire technique can be a valuable tool for small town planners in the comprehensive plan development process.

Subject Categories

Earth Sciences

Copyright

© Eric A Aubrey

Citation-only

Dissertation/Thesis

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