THE MEANING AND EFFECTS OF HIGHRISE LIVING FOR THE MIDDLE INCOME FAMILY: A STUDY OF THREE HIGHRISE SITES IN NEW YORK CITY.
Item
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Title
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THE MEANING AND EFFECTS OF HIGHRISE LIVING FOR THE MIDDLE INCOME FAMILY: A STUDY OF THREE HIGHRISE SITES IN NEW YORK CITY.
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Identifier
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AAI8212204
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identifier
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8212204
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Creator
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MACKINTOSH, ELIZABETH ANN.
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Contributor
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Susan Saegert
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Date
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1982
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, Social
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Abstract
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The study was designed to investigate whether or not the widespread condemnation of highrise housing for young families is justified. Past research had found the highrises had many detrimental efforts. Governments have restricted or prohibited the construction of highrise housing for families. Because most research on highrises has been conducted on low income populations in poorly designed buildings, and/or in bad neighborhoods, generalizations from such research are questionable.;The study sample consisted of 120 people living at three different middle income highrise sites with excellent reputations located in a good neighborhood. Husbands and wives who had at least one young child were interviewed and filled out questionnaires and time budgets.;The study found high levels of satisfaction with the city, the housing development and the apartment. Most of the sample had no moving plans and felt their ideal home was in the city, not the suburbs. The two demographic groups most attracted to urban highrise living were families with employed women and people who had grown up in apartments.;People selected the sites to match their self-images and aspirations based on what each site had to offer. Despite this self-selection, levels of satisfaction varied at each site indicating that certain features provided more fulfillment than others.;Design features had a significant effect. More children in the two highrise sites with outdoor play facilities were allowed outside alone and at an earlier age than those in single buildings with no play facilities. Terrace play areas whose access was limited to only residents were the most utilized. Fewer children from upper floors were allowed out alone than those from lower floors. Upper floor families were less satisfied with their housing and reported more tension than lower floor families. However, people preferred living on high floors because of the light, views, and safety. Families in apartments with high densities complained most of crowding and were less satisfied with their housing.;The study findings indicate that highrise housing should not be stereotyped and that well designed and well managed middle income highrises can provide satisfactory environments for families with young children.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Psychology
