A Comparative Study of Satisfaction in Two Housing Patterns of Villa Houses and Residential Towers(Case study: 2 District of Ardabil)

Urban housing pattern is generally categorized into two models: villa (single-family) houses and apartment buildings. Although the subject matter of each of these two patterns is different in the literature, the conventional or short-rise and high-rise buildings or towers comprise the main groups of the apartment buildings. Over the past years, hundreds of residential units have been built in the form of villa and apartment units in the studied area (Area 2 of Ardabil city), and their number is increasing every year. Therefore, the overall purpose of this study is to comparatively evaluate the satisfaction of residents of villas and towers. Among the various ways to determine satisfaction, the judgment of the people living in these types of housing is more valuable than the opinion of experts, consulting engineers, and decision-makers. With such an understanding, the issue is inherently important, and the scientific answer can reduce the ambiguities in the policy-making of planners and those involved in urban affairs.

The present study is descriptive-analytical in terms of practical purpose and terms of nature and method. Data collection is documented in two ways to provide a theoretical and field framework for a survey using a questionnaire. In this study, residents of residential towers and villa houses in District 2 Ardabil are considered the statistical population. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software, and statistical methods such as independent t-test, variance analysis, and single t-test were used in this study.

According to the findings of the single sample t-test evaluating the satisfaction level of residents from the housing pattern, the average value of the total components is 3.18, which indicates that the residents’ satisfaction is above average level. The satisfaction level for villa houses is 2.90, which is close to the average level of satisfaction for residents. Another purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of personal and individual characteristics on residential environmental satisfaction in Ardabil. In this regard, the results of a one-way variance analysis test show that gender and marital variables do not show significant differences in the results of residential towers and villa houses. Independent t-test results show that the variables of education, job, and income affect residents’ satisfaction in towers, but the results differ in villa houses.

In general, by comparing villa houses and high-rise apartments in District 2 Ardabil, it can be acknowledged that the city’s high-rise apartment buildings, in the vast majority of criteria, are more acceptable than villas. Villas were the dominant model in the past due to their independence and historical and cultural identity, local and indigenous architectural patterns, the existence of complementary and diverse spaces, and service activities. Today residential towers are considered the most important and lively residential spaces in the city due to having security and comfort, public spaces and access, management and control, and, most importantly, proximity to important uses and access to public transport. Unlike traditional housing, they can attract a wide range of social groups, including children, adults, and the elderly