Different courtyards - Different influence on the quality of life of the local residents? Analysis in the post-socialist city of Brno, Czech Republic

Abstract

Can different courtyards influence the quality of life of the local residents in different ways? This study focuses on the comparison of the courtyards in closed urban blocks from the 19th century, the courtyards in the socialist open prefab housing estates and the courtyards in the post-socialist housing development. The analysed courtyards are located in the Central European city of Brno, Czech Republic. The study analyses the satisfaction of the residents living around the courtyards with the social and environmental qualities of the courtyards. The satisfaction which subjectively reflects the quality of life was expressed by the residents in a questionnaire survey. The social parameters of the residents’ communities were verified by the demographic data to identify the different demographic conditions. The results imply that a considerable impact on the quality of life should be ascribed to the courtyards in closed urban blocks. The research generated a secondary result too: the analysed buildings and courtyards in the socialist housing estates don't belong to the socially declining areas.