Assessment of Spatial and Physical Factors Quality of Sahand New Town Residential Communities Open (Outdoor) Spaces

Measuring the perceived quality of residential environments is one of the fields of inquiry for housing environment researches. Most of the data on the perceived quality of residential environments are restricted to existing and large cities experiences. However, little attention has been paid to new town residential complexes particularly in third world countries. Residential and neighborhood satisfaction is an important indicator of housing quality and condition, which affects individuals’ quality of life. The factors, which determine their satisfaction, are essential inputs in monitoring the success of housing policies. This article is trying to study the spatial and physical factors quality of the open and public spaces of Sahand new town residential complexes. Settlement architecture like other social features is not restricted in itself and the feeling of the ownership of appropriate residential environment is often a function of the facilities and accessible services. Residence realities such as other social phenomena are not restricted, thus having good residential environment is related to facilities and educational, religious, healthy and cultural spaces into the relevant distances. The main problem is that most residential communities were not regarded in the development of environment because of the abstract viewpoint to the residence issue. This cross-sectional study was carried out for the 2009-2010 periods. Type of sampling was simple random sampling, 330 of residents were participated in this study. Data for the study come from primary source collected through a personal interview technique. Using this technique, set questions were asked by the interviewer to elicit information from the respondents. Structured questions were used in preparing the questionnaire for the survey. To avoid bias resulting from questionnaire design, the questions were constructed in such a way that they were direct, simple and familiar to the respondents. The level of satisfaction of housing is measured in a five-point Likert scale ranging from ‘‘1’’ for very unsatisfied, ‘‘2’’ for unsatisfied, ‘‘3’’ for neutral, ‘‘4’’ for satisfied and ‘‘5’’ for very satisfied. All data gathered for this study were analyzed using descriptive and chi-square statistical methods, and also correlation tests. Data analysis was accomplished by SPSS.13 software. Results showed that most of residents (48.8%) consider the quality of open spaces at good levels, 50% moderate level and 0.6% low level.The mean and standard deviation of the sample individual in relation to satisfaction levels of the open spaces of urban residential areas in Sahand were 2.49, and 0.51 respectively. There was a significant correlation between special objections and quality of town residential communities open spaces in Sahand new town based on results of Frideman test (P<0.05). There was a signification correlation between age, sex, educational level, occupation, household, number of 18-years age children, marital status and the main goal of research based on results of X2 (P<0.01). Thus, for the development and increase of population in Sahand new town, quality of open residential spaces should be regarded. In addition to hardworking, making special effort of responsible, participation employ and residents cooperation techniques in principle development of town is essential.