Relocation rationale – why people move in connection with renovation projects

Abstract

The existing housing stock is constantly in need of maintenance and renovation. Previous research has showed that renovation projects may force tenants to move involuntarily, and there is a correlation between the scale of the renovation project, the economic consequences for the tenants, and the relocation frequency. In this paper, the aim is to identify the reasons for tenants’ choice to relocate, based on both quantitative and qualitative data. This paper is based on material from a larger study of tenants’ experiences of housing renovation and their decision to relocate. From a large empirical material of 426 personal interviews with tenants living in municipally owned rental apartments within the city of Gothenburg, 117 respondents were identified, whose choice to relocate were directly linked to the renovation process. The interviews were transcribed, analyzed and coded into different categories. Preliminary results show that the majority of relocations that occur in connection to renovation projects are in fact not related to the renovation process in itself. The primary reason to move was to upsize, to move in with a partner, to move from rental to home ownership, and to live in another area. Arguments directly connected to the renovation process were to avoid the disturbances connected to living in an apartment while it was being renovated, or avoiding being evacuated and having to move several times, and avoiding the economic consequences of rent increases after the renovation. The results illustrate the vital role of the property owner in planning and organizing the renovation projects in order to minimize the disturbances for the tenants. It supports the current trend to divide renovation projects into smaller segments, applying more diverse strategies and avoiding one-size-fits-all-approaches to renovation.

Health effects of holistic housing renovation in a disadvantaged neighbourhood in the Netherlands: a qualitative exploration among residents and professionals

“…regarding the choice of new kitchen tiles) increased feelings of control, self-efficacy, empowerment, ownership and pride, improving mental health, confirming pathways 3 and 6 [ 15 ] and findings from Bal et al [ 33 ] and Allen [ 34 ]. Similar to our study, Granath et al [ 35 ] found respondents had negative emotions connected to the renovation and relocation process, e.g. worries about the (lack of) information before the renovation started, or not wanting to live through a renovation in their present apartment, and that “the renovation project in itself, with the disturbances and stresses it brings, are a large cause for people to move” ([ 35 ], p.5).…”

“…Similar to our study, Granath et al [ 35 ] found respondents had negative emotions connected to the renovation and relocation process, e.g. worries about the (lack of) information before the renovation started, or not wanting to live through a renovation in their present apartment, and that “the renovation project in itself, with the disturbances and stresses it brings, are a large cause for people to move” ([ 35 ], p.5). Our findings further indicated that after renovation, mental health might improve due to improved housing quality and visual amenity benefits, which decrease stress about housing problems and increase feelings of pride, confirming pathway 2 [ 15 ] and findings from Orlando-Romero et al [ 36 ] highlighting the psychosocial component of people’s relationship with their house.…”

Sentiment and semantic analysis: Urban quality inference using machine learning algorithms

“…The dataset for the text classification task is based on empirical data collected in a larger study of tenants’ experiences with housing renovation and their decisions to move from their homes (n = 447). 41 The study was conducted in Gothenburg, Sweden, during the period of 2018 and 2021. In the above-mentioned study, researchers interviewed tenants who agreed to participate in the study and then transcribed the interviews to text to be further analysed and coded into different categories.…”