Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of immediate outdoor environments-- defined as private outside space-- of a single-family, detached dwelling on residential satisfaction. People usually judge their residential environment through cultural norms (Morris and Winter, 1975). Private outside space satisfaction was, therefore, examined in the context of cultural differences prevailing in the American society among Afro-Americans, Anglo- Americans, and Hispanic-Americans. Personal characteristics were taken into account as probable social system correlates of satisfaction. The study further investigated the outdoor behavior of the cultural groups, expressed in terms of use of private outside space. Attempts were made to find out whether the cultural groups differ in their attitude toward the immediate outdoor residential environment. A sample of 198 households representing all three cultural groups were randomly selected from residential communities in Bryan- College Station, Texas. Relevant data for the study were collected through face-to-face interview using an interview instrument. Some data related to outdoor behavior were collected through direct observation. Data related to economic status and size of property were obtained from Brazos County Appraisal District. Appropriate statistical techniques were employed to analyze the data. The findings generated from the analyses of the data indicated that overall residential satisfaction is affected by private outside space satisfaction. Personal characteristics, cultural background of residents, and cultural composition of a neighborhood have an impact on satisfaction with private outside space. While qualitative attributes of private outside space are important predictors of private outside space satisfaction, the quantitative attributes of private outside space do no have any direct bearing on satisfaction. Use of private outside space is affected by cultural background of residents; social acceptability of different uses of private outside space is affected by the cultural composition of a neighborhood. However, outdoor behavior pattern does not have any apparent relationship with private outside space satisfaction. Finally, planning and design recommendations were made based on the findings of the study. Some future directions of research on private outside space satisfaction were also suggested.
Choudhury, Iftekharuddin Mohammed (1994). Effects of private outside space on residential satisfaction with particular reference to cultural differences. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -1554222.