A Map to Happiness - Modelling the Effect and Temporal Development of Spatial and Socio-Demographic Characteristics on Residential Satisfaction in the City of Zurich

Recently, increased attention has been paid to the effect of densification policies on residential satisfaction. The effect of increasing populations in urban areas has been found to diverge with respect to different contexts. This thesis examines the significance of spatial and socioeconomic factors in determining residential satisfaction over the years 2003 to 2015 in the city of Zurich. Street- and neighborhood level predictive variables such as the population density and percentages of various land cover types were assessed objectively and subjectively. Results show that the most important predictor of residential satisfaction in Zurich, is the perceived quiet and calm of the quarter. A higher total population per statistical zone was found to have a negative effect on residential satisfaction. However, combinations of built environment factors represent trade-offs that suggest a balance can be achieved by urban planners. Spatial analysis indicated continuous clusters of low satisfaction in Zurich. Clusters of high satisfaction, in contrast, changed geographically during the years studied. Lastly, this thesis contributes methodological considerations with respect to the discrimination of factors in areas of high quality of life, the treatment of spatial dependence in regression models and the comparison of factors between different spatial scales.