Differences in Neighbourhood Equipment between Socialist and Post-Socialist Housing Estates in Croatia and Slovenia

Abstract

The study analyses differences in the quality of neighbourhood equipment between socialist (old) and post-socialist (new) large housing estates in Croatia and Slovenia. A total of 2,193 participants from the four largest cities in Croatia (Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, and Osijek) and the two largest cities in Slovenia (Ljubljana and Maribor) were surveyed in 2022. Satisfaction with neighbourhood equipment was evaluated based on the following aspects of the housing estate: accessibility of primary and secondary services and facilities as well as overall satisfaction with the estate. Residents, regardless of the country, Croatia or Slovenia, and the type of estate, were generally satisfied with all key aspects of the housing estates. The results also indicated a generally higher urbanistic standard in both types of estates in Slovenia compared to those in Croatia. Furthermore, indicators of satisfaction with neighbourhood equipment generally demonstrated weak correlations with residents’ individual characteristics – gender, age, tenure, and length of residence in the estate. In accordance with the initial assumption, socialist estates were not rated worse overall compared to post-socialist housing estates.