Abstract:
The study aimed at comparing residents’ satisfaction in public and private residential estates in Akure with a view to assisting in planning user friendly housing units and improving on residential environment in both existing and future public and private housing schemes. Survey and qualitative research strategies as well as systematic random sampling techniques were used in selecting respondents. Primary data was obtained through the administration of questionnaire to 801 randomly selected respondents (residents of the four estates), and oral interviews with four management staff in the four housing agencies. Descriptive statistical tools using frequency distribution tables, percentages, Relative Satisfaction Index (RSI) and Inferential Statistic were used to analyse the data. Findings show that based on the thirteen facilities examined, there is no difference in the extent of residents’ satisfaction with the facilities inherent in public and private estates and there is no difference in the opinion of the residents of public and private estates with a significant level of greater than 0.05. Respondents’ level of satisfaction with residential facilities provided in the sampled public estates shows a greater degree of satisfaction with Telecommunication Infrastructures with a Relative Satisfaction Index of 0.9031 and ranked 1st. Sewage disposal and refuse collection were ranked 2nd and 3rd with Relative Satisfaction Indices of 0.8959 and 0.8657 respectively. On the other hand, respondents’ level of satisfaction with residential facilities provided in the sampled private estates shows a greater degree of satisfaction with Telecommunication Infrastructures and Sewage Disposal System with a Relative Satisfaction Indices of 0.906 and ranked 1st. Refuse collection was ranked 3rd while security services ranked 4th with Relative Satisfaction Indices of 0.869 and 0.838 respectively. It was recommended that facilities within the neighbourhoods need to be upgraded and adequately managed to further enhance the living conditions of the residents. Architects should engage relevant design practice that encourages the incorporation of major housing needs and spaces.
