Quality of life and public services – Local area aspects of quality of life: An illustrated framework

Quality of life is influenced by the physical and social characteristics of people’s direct surroundings. Previous research by Eurofound on housing acknowledged the importance of such ‘local area aspects’ beyond the dwelling, and the European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS) includes numerous questions which relate to people’s local living conditions. This working paper offers a conceptual framework to explore the ‘local area dimensions of quality of life’. It takes a comprehensive approach, providing a framework applicable to all types of areas in the EU, whether they are rural or urban, affluent or deprived. The paper aims to inform policy makers, researchers, and other stakeholders, including those involved in developing measurement frameworks.

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