Characteristics of Childcare-Friendly Residential Environment : The relationship between the Characteristics of the Residential Environment on the Children Residential Ratio in the Apartments

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to find out the spatial characteristics of residential environment that is suitable for raising children, by analyzing the effect of the characteristics of the residential environment in the apartments on the children residential ratio. For the analysis, we constructed variables, based on the census data for apartment complexes in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do and conducted a multivariate regression analysis based on microscopic spatial units called ‘National Basic Zone.’ From the results of the analysis, the following characteristics of residential environments with a high children residential ratio were derived. First, Childcare households tend to reside more in new apartments in large-scale complexes, even if the cost is higher to a certain extent. Second, the child residential ratio is higher in the complexes which have more parking spaces and the ratio of underground parking is higher. Third, Childcare households do not prefer housing units smaller than 40㎡. Fourth, Childcare households consider accessibility to educational facilities more important than the distance to major transportation hubs or job centers.