The Impact Of Socioeconomic Status on Individual's Attitudes Towards Living in Certain Residential Areas: a Comparative study

The current study aimed at recognizing the influence of socioeconomic status of individuals and their attitudes towards living in different residential areas in the city of Nablus. A specially designed questionnaire was prepared for this purpose and the study population involved those living in the old city (Al-Qarion), Rafedia and Ras El-Eine residential areas. Study sample (143 families) were distributed as follows: 57 in Rafedia, 56 in Ras El-Eine and 30 in the old city. Data were analyzed using SPSS. The results of this study clearly showed that family income is reflected on housing properties both its interior as well as its exterior designs in addition to other associated facilities such as the presence of front and back yards. Significant statistical variations were observed in favor of those living in Rafedia area were 91.3% of the houses in this area were built with stones on the outside compared to 39.3% in Ras E1-Eine residential area and 46.7% of the houses in the old city. The stone specifications were also with great differences and this could be due to the fact that most of the houses in Rafedia area were recently built (20-30 years). It was also found that around 40% of the houses in Rafedia residential area were with or greater than 200 square meters compared to 7.1% and 0.0% for Ras El-Eine and the old city, respectively. With respect to the presence of gardens, the ratios of 75.4%, 28.6% and around 1% were found in association with houses in Rafedia, Ras E1-Eine and the old city, respectively. With respect to house privacy, the ratios of 100%, 68% and 13% were reported by those living in Rafedia, Ras El-Eine and the old city, respectively. As we mentioned earlier, all of these variations were affected by the general mean income the families which was highest among those living in Rafedia area. The highest rate of educated family members was also found in Rafedia residential area (97%) compared to 82% and 57% for Ras E1-Eine and the old city, respectively. Clear variations to the provided services to these residential areas was also evident and is adversely provided as one expect that such services will be affected by the number of inhabitance, thus it should be much better in crowded areas like both Ras El-Eine and the old city. Instead we found that of the nature and number of the streets in Rafedia is better and will organized and one should mention that this might be influenced by the fact that Rafedia residential area is a newly established and this of course will be reflected on the services as well as the organization of this area. Our data clearly indicates the presence of a clear gap between the various studies residential areas, thus we emphasize the great need for scientific planning for organizing the city especially the old residential areas. It's also essential at this stage to evaluate the existing services and the housing facilities in order find means for solving the existing problems.