Examining the Realization of Residential Satisfaction in the State’s New Housing Projects, with Reference to Cairo, Egypt

Abstract Egypt is currently witnessing unprecedented development in the sector of low-income housing. Up to this point, little research has been conducted to determine how such projects contribute to genuine residents’ satisfaction. Residential satisfaction refers to the sense of contentment that one experiences when their housing needs are met. Residential satisfaction was intended to reveal not just what the existing living conditions were like but also which aspects the government should focus on improving for future low-income housing schemes. The concept of residency encompasses physical, psychological, and social aspects, making it a multifaceted and intricate idea. This paper will address residential satisfaction in relation to the three domains: housing unit, neighborhood, and social environment, as well as the socio-economic characteristics of the occupants, which have also received relatively little investigation. The objective of this study is to identify the factors that contribute to the residential satisfaction of low-income housing in Al-Asmarat. The study adopts a quantitative analysis of a purpose-designed questionnaire survey that investigates residential satisfaction in one of the state’s new low-income housing projects. Data was collected from 120 respondents living in the Al-Asmarat project to evaluate their residential satisfaction. The results showed that residents expressed high levels of satisfaction with many aspects of their new housing project and dissatisfaction with other aspects, for example: 1-Plumbing 2-Internet connection in Housing unit and 1-Living Costs 2-Job opportunities in Neighborhood. Additionally, residents prioritized the following parameters in housing units: level of quietness, residents’ sense of attachment to the unit, and proximity of services. Regarding the neighborhood, they prioritized: residents’ sense of attachment to the neighborhood; the level of street cleanliness; the presence of a youth center; positive official response to residents’ complaints; and aesthetic standards of the streets. Concerning the social environment, they prioritized: the strength of relations between neighbors and the degree of safety in Al-Asmarat city. In summary, it is suggested that the findings of this study may help developers and policymakers improve future low-income housing projects in Egypt towards the development of a better built environment.