This research effort
examines two aspects of quality of life within an inner city neighborhood: community connectedness
and safety. Based on the current literature, it was hypothesized that inner city residents would exhibit relatively low
levels of community connectedness as well as low levels of perceived safe
living conditions in their community. These two broad areas were analyzed by utilizing a variety of
predictor variables including age cohorts, race, gender, educational
attainment, employment status, and length of community resident status. Data
collection was accomplished through surveying adult residents by utilizing a systematic
random sample design. The research findings suggested that resident perceptions of the neighborhood were
quite different from the general assertions made about inner city neighborhoods
in the extant literature. Overall, residents indicated they felt safe across a
number of safety indicators with race, educational attainment, employment
status, age, and length of residence in the neighborhood having relatively no
influence on these perceptions. Regarding community connectedness perceptions,
resident responses were quite positive. Based on the findings, the research
hypothesis was not supported.
Cite this paper
Jr., R. L. , Ford-Robertson, J. and Dennard, D. (2016). Inner City Quality of Life: A Case Study of Community Consciousness and Safety Perceptions among Neighborhood Residents. Open Access Library Journal, 3, e3128. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1103128.
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