Comparative Analysis of Modes of Participation in Housing Modification and Extent of Satisfaction of People with Physical Disabilities in Public Housing

Abstract

They are a mixed relationship between modes of user participation and user satisfaction with housing development processes, suggesting that different modes of user participation are not equally effective. This study examined the relationship between modes of user participation in public housing modification and the extent of satisfaction of people with a physical disability that affects mobility, intending to provide valuable data for future construction processes. Data were elicited from owner-occupier houses in eleven housing estates in Yola which were modified to accommodate people with physical challenges. The pattern of user participation was measured using Wulz's seven approaches to user participation – Representation, Questionary, Regionalism, Dialogue, Alternative, Co-decision, and Self-decision. Thirty-one variables grouped into three components – entrances to the buildings, access to goods and services, the usability of restrooms, was used to measure user satisfaction at the planning, design, and construction stages of the modification. Findings from the study indicate that Overall Satisfaction with modification outcomes has a significant positive correlation at p<0.01 level with the variables of entrances to the buildings, access to goods and services, the usability of restrooms components. A comparison of the level of satisfaction among the different modes of users' participation in the building's alteration revealed highly statistically significant mean differences (p<0.05) between the groups at all stages (Planning, Design, Construction). “Self-decision” had a significantly higher mean level of satisfaction (p<0.05) compared with the other modes of participation at all stages. The study recommends user-led housing design and construction, to achieve a high level of housing satisfaction especially for people with physical disabilities in urban mass housing.