Analysis of urban landscape preferences between compact neighborhoods and postindustrial districts in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Implications for urban planning

Abstract

The urban characteristics of postindustrial urban expansions developed in recent decades in many Spanish cities have notable differences with preexisting central and pericentral more compact neighborhoods. In order to study how these urban differences are perceived by the citizens of Vitoria- Gasteiz, 250 residents in compact neighborhoods of the city were surveyed on their preferences among the urban landscape of their neighborhood and that of the post-industrial neighborhoods. It was noted that the vast majority of respondents preferred their compact neighborhood in aspects of sociability, accessibility to services and overall welfare. The results were compared with those of a previous study in which a similar survey was conducted to residents of a postindustrial neighborhood. The implications of the results are discussed to develop a more sustainable town planning that integrates the perception of the users if the city.