Scale Development Study on Neoliberal Urbanization and “Preference of Living Place”

Abstract

After the 1970s, the political economi process dominated by neoliberal ideology changed the physical and social structure in cities. The preferences of individuals for the place where they live have also differed depending on many parameters. The aim of this study is to determine the factors affecting the place preferences experienced with neoliberal urbanization. In addition, helps to make inferences about the elements that should be given priority in the planning of cities. In accordance with this purpose in Istanbul-Kağıthane and Izmir-Bayraklı, which have experienced neoliberal urbanization, surveys were conducted with a total of 643 people and an attempt was made to develop a scale related to “preference of living place”. To the question consisting of 21 items “5. very important, 4. important, 3. of middling importance, 2. less important, 1. not important” five-likert type answers were asked to be given. In the explanatory factor analysis (EFA) conducted with the SPSS package program, it was determined that the scale had 4 sub-dimensions (the characteristics of the district and house, proximity to public services, work-related factors, social environment relations). “Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA)” was performed using the Amos program. According to the CFA, it was determined that the structural equation model result of the scale was significant at the p=0.000 level, the 18 items and 4 sub-dimensions that make up the scale are related to the scale structure. The fact that the goodness of fit values are at an acceptable level shows that the dimensions obtained as a result of EFA are supported by CFA. In both research areas, one-way analysis of variance was applied to compare the scale sizes of the participants participating in the study according to their housing types. In Kağıthane and Bayraklı, the reasons for choosing those living in gated community-residences are factors related to work and district-house characteristics while the factor of social environmental relations for those living in slum-old apartments has come to the fore. In addition, it has been observed that in general, individual and hedonic approaches were effective in choosing a place to live in the neoliberal period.