Community Satisfaction in Post-socialist Cities: Factors and Implications

Abstract

Community satisfaction is an important determinant of the perceived overall quality of life, and can be defined as a function of opportunities a community provides to its residents. Although measurable at a specific point in time, it does not only reflect current communal activities, but also past developments and their path dependency. In this paper we identify and empirically verify factors influencing community satisfaction in post-socialist urban settlements. In the process we are using the Slovenian post-socialist cities of Nova Gorica and Velenje as illustrative examples, and the average Slovenian community satisfaction in urban settlements as a benchmark. This unique combination of data allows us to derive important lessons for community residents, community planners, and local policy-makers.