Impact of Relocation on Quality of Life

Abstract

The aim of this research was to explore the impact of a relocation project in the quality of life. The study was conducted in the state of Tabasco, Mexico and it considered a subjective and an objective approach. The study included relevant variables in three dimensions: social, economic and environmental.

Relocatees used to live on the riverbanks close to downtown and they were, voluntarily or involuntarily, relocated into two suburban areas far away from their original homes. This study was designed to compare the quality of life before and after being relocated and also to compare the objective and subjective quality of life approaches. Finally, the study made a quality of life distinction between both new localities. Data were collected through a survey that was carried out face to face with the relocatees.

It was found that the quality of life of the relocatees, either objectively or subjectively, decreased after being moved to the new sites. Although people who were relocated to the closest location to downtown showed a better quality of life than people from the other location. People who live closer to downtown rated better their subjective and objective conditions than the inhabitants of farthest neighborhood; however in both neighborhoods the perception of people about their quality of life was worse assessed than the objective indicators showed.

Any relocation process, whether voluntary or not, involve a change in the lifestyle of those affected. The extent to which this change affects quality of life will depend on how the relocation process is carried out and the degree of divergence between the former and current location.

It can be expected that relocatees improve their quality of life over time. This is a characteristic of adaptability and evolution of societies. Therefore, future research could determine if this phenomenon occurs or not in these two new locations.