Urbani izziv Volume 33, No. 2, December 2022
: 103-114
(Articles)
UDK: 711.58:316.728(477)
doi: 10.5379/urbani-izziv-en-2022-33-02-04
Author
Olena Dronova
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Faculty of Geography, Department of Economic and Social Geography, Kyiv, Ukraine
olena.dronova@gmail.com
Diana Khomenko
Institute of Geography of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
danahomenko@gmail.com
Stanley D. Brunn
University of Kentucky, Department of Geography, Lexington, KY, USA
brunn@uky.edu
Title
Comparing residents’ perceptions of quality of life
in three Kyiv neighbourhoods
Abstract
According to Global North urban studies, the traditional low-rise mixed-function perimeter block is the most
attractive urban morphology in terms of organization
of space, time, values, and social interactions. This study
examines how valid these basic theses are regarding the
comfort of urban housing morphological types in Kyiv,
the capital of Ukraine. We compare residents’ quality of
life and analyse the differences in residents’ behavioural patterns and spatial perception in different morphological types of housing to identify distinguishing features of the most comfortable urban form. Using expert
evaluation and surveys, we assess history; jobs; social,
educational, and cultural services; environmental indicators; security levels; and public activity in three different neighbourhoods: Zhulyany (with detached houses),
Podil (with low-rise perimeter blocks), and Rusanivka
(with Soviet high-rises). The results reveal that the Soviet neighbourhood, Rusanivka, leads in terms of both
objective indicators and residents’ perception as the most
comfortable living area. This finding contradicts generally
accepted theories about exemplary and attractive urban
morphology. This preference is based on the planning and
construction priorities of the unique social system of Rusanivka, where its human-centeredness and a thoughtful
integrated approach are highly valued
Key Words
urban morphology, neighbourhoods, quality of life, perceptions, Kyiv