Analysis of Housing Choices and Preferences Models in Apartment Flat Buildings in Urban Regions 1, 6, 13, and 22 of Tehran

Depending on the nature of housing, housing choices and preferences are of great importance for individuals. Depending on the nature of housing, housing choices and preferences are of great importance for individuals. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine and investigate the relationship between residential preferences criteria among Tehran citizens. The unit of analysis was individual and statistical population of the study included Tehran citizens over 18 years of age. A total of 310 participants were selected as the statistical samples using the systematic random sampling method. The data gathering tool was a researcher-made questionnaire based on a 5-point Likert scale. To analyze the data, statistical methods such as confirmatory factor analysis, one sample mean differences, multi sample mean differences, and path analysis were applied using SPSS 22 and LISREL 8.5. Confirmatory factor analysis showed validity of all explanatory model indicators, except the 'attachment' indicator. Based on the results of one sample mean differences, all indicators were important according to the respondents. Analysis of mean differences indicated that 'socio-cultural', 'physical-skeletal', 'environmental', and 'economic' criteria were important in housing choices, respectively. These criteria had the same importance in different urban regions and no significant difference was observed in different regions. Although the 'economic' criterion had the least importance according to the respondents, it had a significant effect on the importance of other criteria according to the results of the path analysis model. The findings of this research can be considered by housing planners and policy makers as well as architectural designers.