Evaluating the effects of cross neighborhood facilities on residential satisfaction by developing importance-satisfaction rate method (case study: Jahanshahr neighborhood of Karaj, Iran)

Urban facilities within a neighborhood are among the most important factors affecting residential satisfaction. According to the definitions of neighborhood by different scholars, initial impression is that the facilities whose service scope exceeds the border of the neighborhood (cross-neighborhood facilities) can be considered as a source of citizens’ dissatisfaction. However, it seems that such facilities can also be associated with potential positive effects for residents. This study tries to assess residential satisfaction regarding different cross-neighborhood facilities in Jahanshar neighborhood (Karaj, Iran) through the existing methods in order to solve this paradox that the existence of cross-neighborhood facilities inside a neighborhood will ultimately lead to residents’ satisfaction or not. To this end, required data was collected through documentary studies and field operations including interview and questionnaire. Sample size of 377 was determined using the Cochran formula and the questionnaires were randomly distributed among the residents living in the neighborhood. A conceptual model was presented and Importance-Satisfaction Analysis was selected. Nevertheless, since the method was found to have limitations, it was improved by Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process for a more accurate evaluation. The results indicate that contrary to initial impression, the existence of cross neighborhood facilities within a neighborhood does not always have negative impacts on resident’s satisfaction. Despite some dissatisfactions which must be considered by decision makers using the results of this study, there are the areas where these facilities promoted the residents’ quality of life.