Objective measurement of quality of life using secondary data analysis

Abstract

This chapter focuses on approaches to analyzing objective quality of life (QOL) using aggregated spatial data, particularly in an urban context. It reviews the evolution of studies from the 1960s and 1970s when a vast literature was produced on social and territorial social indicators. The literature ranges from measuring dimensions of well-being to recent approaches in which spatial econometric modeling is used to study objective indicators of QOUL. The latter studies often emphasize the measurement of urban amenity. The chapter also summarizes numerous initiatives to rank cities according to their QOL and livability.