HRZZ IPS-2020-01-7036 Quality of living in the housing estates of the socialist and post-socialist era: A comparative analysis between Slovenia and Croatia

Grant holder: Institute for Social Research in Zagreb
Duration:  October 15, 2020 – October 14, 2023
EIZ member: Željka Kordej-De Villa
 
As social circumstances change, so do the needs of individuals. This project focuses on the life quality in housing estates that were built in the period of the socialist socio-political and economic system and in the period after the transition to a market economy (post-socialism). We start from the hypothesis that different social circumstances that characterize the post-socialist period have brought new demands and needs in the domain of occupants' life quality. Residential areas from the socialist period have become less attractive for living as occupants have new values ​​and needs in terms of life quality and have expectations for better housing standards and for the quality of the housing environment. The research is designed as comparative because it tests the hypothesis made for two countries - Slovenia and Croatia, which have the same basis for the emergence of large housing estates built during the socialist period. Despite the changes and differences, large housing estates from socialism in both countries still represent a significant share of the total housing stock, which is assumed to be inadequate and in need of a complete renovation, due to its obsolescence and changed values. However, none of these countries has adopted a national strategy for the reconstruction of large housing estates or guidelines for ensuring a higher quality of housing and living environment. The ultimate goal of the research project is, therefore, to define – from the quality of life perspective - guidelines and recommendations for the appropriate reconstruction of housing estates from the socialist period and the planning of new housing estates in Slovenia and Croatia. The basis for formulating proposals for the preparation of both national strategies will be similarities and differences in the perception of life quality of of the residents of housing estates and their needs about the changed values ​​related to the way of life. The research will be original, and the developed guidelines will be relevant to other post-socialist countries as well.

Project web site: http://hesc.uirs.si/hr-hr/