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In recent years, the interest grew in research on measuring the “quality of life” (QOL) in cities. This interest comes from the success QOL measurement achieved in understanding communities’ needs, tracking changes in different aspects of life and assessing the most desired types of future development among citizens. This research highlights the importance of measuring QOL in Jordan. It examines the opportunity and applicability of carrying out QOL measurement studies in Amman, the capital city. It outlines different scopes, visions and approaches that can be used to study and measure QOL and the most suitable mechanism that can work firmly. A professional top–bottom approach was used for that. Thirty-three experts with different backgrounds were interviewed in order to determine the appropriate scopes and visions for studying QOL, define the most significant aspects affecting QOL in Amman, and define the appropriate domains to be studied. Results were analyzed, limitations were defined and the final set of representative domains was stated. Domains were ranked according to their relevance and the important -underneath- aspects were defined in the form of models, each representing a certain domain. The paper attempts by the end to set the stage for setting up criteria for measuring QOL in Amman and to open the way for future QOL research to take place in Jordan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates people's preferences regarding housing projects, by looking at the discrepancy between the current status of a low-income housing project in Jordan. The study investigates the residents' preferences and their reaction toward their environment. The study also examines the satisfaction degree that the project provides and explains what the residents expect from their environments and how they react to it. The paper utilizes ethnography to study the Al-Betrawi Project, which is built by the Housing and Urban Development Corporation in Jordan. The research focused on the physical component of the environment including factors such as maintenance level, order and style of the dwelling, housing location, clean air and children's play spaces. Furthermore, this study deals with the changes made to the units by the residents, and how they affect the residents' preferences and desires. The changes are indicators of the level of likeability. Hence, detailed interviews and surveys were carried out in the course of the study to assess and analyze these changes. The study concludes that most residents of the project dislike the apartment-building type of housing and spells out detailed analysis of the residents' preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]