Looking beyond household income status: Exploring the interplay of income and other drivers of neighbourhood satisfaction in Gauteng

This article was published in the journal Humanities and Social Sciences Communication on 21 November 2024.

The paper explores the interplay between household income and other drivers of neighbourhood satisfaction in Gauteng, South Africa. It aims to assess how income influences satisfaction while considering other social, physical, and environmental factors.

The paper argues that while household income is a critical factor, it is insufficient on its own to explain disparities in neighbourhood satisfaction fully. Non-monetary factors like access to services, safety, and environmental quality are equally significant.

Using data from 8,996 respondents in the Quality of Life 6 Survey (2020/21), the study employs bivariate and multivariable statistical techniques to estimate how income interacts with other factors like housing type, safety perceptions, and community services to affect satisfaction.

The main findings of the article are:

• Household income correlates strongly with neighbourhood satisfaction, but the effect diminishes when other factors are considered.
• Medium-income households benefit more from infrastructure and security enhancements compared to low-income households.
• Non-monetary aspects like road quality, water services, and safety perceptions play significant roles in determining overall satisfaction.

The study employs hierarchical logit modeling to analyse interactions between income and other variables. Spatial mapping and bivariate analysis further identify satisfaction trends across Gauteng’s wards.

"Neighborhood satisfaction is not just a matter of income; it reflects the delicate interplay between monetary and non-monetary factors that shape the lived experiences of diverse urban communities."

Key points:

Beyond Income: Non-monetary factors, such as crime rates and infrastructure quality, are as crucial as income in influencing neighbourhood satisfaction.

Medium-income households report higher satisfaction in medium-income neighbourhoods, revealing disparities in service quality across areas.

Effective urban planning should prioritise improving public infrastructure, safety, and environmental quality, especially in low-income neighbourhoods.

Recommended citation:

Tsoriyo, W.W. & Ndagurwa, P. (2024). Looking beyond household income status: Exploring the interplay of income and other drivers of neighbourhood satisfaction in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications Journal. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03943-0

For further detail please contact wendy.tsoriyo@gcro.ac.za/ mandazawendy@gmail.com