FACTORS INFLUENCING NEIGHBORHOOD PREFERENCE AND CHOICE IN YOLA – NIGERIA

Z. B. Zinas¹ and Esther M. Malgwi²

¹Department of Architecture,

Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola.

²Research Assistant and Freelance Architect

Email: bzinas@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Several factors are responsible for neighborhood preferences and choices ranging from neighborhood attributes to benefits derived from it as well as personal values of neighborhood user.  As a geographically localized community within a larger city, it is of utmost importance for people to choose the kind of neighborhood they live therein. The quality of the neighborhood environments and their evaluations are so significant to the residents. These evaluations are often based on the diversity and complexity of personal senses of looking at the neighborhood setting as well as the varied lifestyles, personal demands, and preferences. More often than not, the choices of a given neighborhood are motivated or otherwise by the outcomes of the evaluations made by potential residents. The aim of this paper is to present factors influencing residents’ choices and preferences of neighborhood environments in Yola, Nigeria. The study was conducted within the methodological framework of means-end chain (MEC) research model, using the laddering interview technique. Ten respondents were interviewed, response recorded, transcribed and content analyzed. The results showed that several neighborhood attributes (proximity, family setup, accessibility, quietness, terrain, and not overcrowded) are reasons for preference and choice. Six of the Schwartz’s value domains of hedonism, security, universalism, achievement, self-direction, and benevolence were found to motivate these preferences and choices factors. It is important to plan neighborhoods that will engender safety of residents, make them very happy and give them a sense of satisfaction.

Keywords: Neighborhood; Means-end chain model; Laddering Interview