Perceived restorativeness and environment quality in relation to well-being, residential satisfaction, and sense of community: an analysis in Northeast Italy

Introduction: Residential satisfaction consists of pleasure derived from living in a place according to one’s needs, expectations, and outcomes. The present study examines the role of sociodemographic variables, perceived residential quality indicators, and restorativeness in predicting i) well-being, ii) residential satisfaction, and iii) sense of communities in northeast Italy. Methods: A total of 100 residents (47 women) in various cities in northeast Italy and 211 (112 women) residents in Piazzola sul Brenta (PD) took part in two studies. They answered demographic questions about self-reported restorativeness, residential environment quality, residential satisfaction, mental well-being, and sense of community. Results: After accounting for age, gender, and income, the results showed that perceived restorativeness enhances sense of community in the Northeast and Piazzola sul Brenta samples and predicts psychological well-being and residential satisfaction in Piazzola sul Brenta. Architectural and functional aspects contribute, respectively, to residential satisfaction and sense of community in both samples, and functional factors predict residential satisfaction for the Northeast sample. Place attachment plays a positive role in residential satisfaction and sense of community in the Northeast and Piazzola sul Brenta. Discussion: The study reveals a link between perceived restorativeness and residential satisfaction and well-being, providing insight for professionals and policy to improve urban quality.