Explaining the Role of the Environmental Quality of Residential Neighborhoods in the Psychological Well-Being of Residents (Case Study: Sayan Neighborhood of Zanjan City)

With the beginning of paying attention to the concept of environmental quality in recent decades, the importance of studying the psychological quality of urban environments has gradually increased. This has been largely neglected in relation to informal neighborhoods. In this regard, the aim of the present study is to explain the role of the quality of the physical and functional environment of Sayan informal neighborhood in Zanjan city in the psychological well-being of the residents. The research is classified as exploratory-analytical research. The approach of the research is quantitative and in terms of the application of the results, it can be considered as applied research. Collecting the required data and information has been done through library studies and field methods. The collection and assessing of the data related to the quality of the environment was done through a researcher-made questionnaire, 54-question Ryff questionnaire was used to assess the psychological well-being of the residents. The statistical sample includes 134 residential plates that have been questioned systematically by referring to the doors of the houses. Structural equation modeling and Smart PLS software have been used to analyze effect-oriented indicators and examination of their relationship with the psychological well-being of residents. Expert observation data have also been evaluated using the qualitative analysis method. Findings show that the quality of the physical environment is more effective than the quality of the functional environment in the psychological well-being of the residents of Sayan neighborhood. This is done through three components including environmental health, legibility and authenticity of environment. The quality of the functional environment also affects the psychological well-being of the residents through the land use.