Place-Making Survey Cluj Perspective

Data sources

• Survey of homes -MSU questionnaire - in eleven neighbourhoods in Cluj sold between 1989 - 2012.

• 677 responses (487 owners, 190 tenants). Face-to-face interviews.Random stratified sample

• the study to assess average home price for each neighbourhood was conducted in cooperation with Blitz Real Estate Agency, in March 2013, on a representative sample of 511 homes for sale with prices up to date from the eleven selected neighbourhoods

What Factor Influence Home Purchase Decisions?

Commuting time to job or school is short

Homes in my neighborhood are affordable

I have great access to public transportation

The home is energy efficient

There are many employment opportunities

There is a strong sense of community

I have good access to fresh and healthy foods

Great neighbors live in the neighborhood

The neighborhood is safe

I am able to do a majority of my shopping

I am able to walk/bike to many nearby places

I am close to my job

1 (not at all) 2 3 4 5(very much) 1 (not at all) 2 3 4 5(very much)

Factors influencing people’s decision to buy a house

Mid-West Cluj-Napoca

1 Safety Safety

2 Commute time Stores nearby

3 Affordability Access to public transportation

4 Walkability Walkability

How Far Are People Willing to Walk in Cluj?

30 minutes or longer

26-30 minutes

21-25 minutes

16-20 minutes

11-15 minutes

6-10 minutes

1-5 minutes

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

9,8%

18,5%

15,4%

24,1%

13,2%

13,9%

5,6%

• Mid-West: 10-15 min.• Cluj-Napoca: 16-20 min.

How Far Are People Willing to Walk in Mid-West and Cluj?

Aesthetically-Pleasing & Safe Neighborhood

How would you rate the overal look and feel of a walk in your neighborhood?

Frequency Percent Valid Percent

Cumulative Percent

Valid

1 (Very low) 28 4,1 4,4 4,4

2 122 18,0 19,4 23,8

3 176 26,0 27,9 51,7

4 189 27,9 30,0 81,7

5 (Very high) 113 16,7 17,9 99,7

Not practical/Don't walk 2 ,3 ,3 100,0

Total 630 93,1 100,0

Missing System 47 6,9

Total 677 100,0

SafetyHow safe do you feel in this neighborhood?

Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent

Valid

Extremely safe 45 6,6 7,1 7,1

Very safe 275 40,6 43,7 50,8

Moderately safe 287 42,4 45,6 96,3

Slightly safe 11 1,6 1,7 98,1

Not at all safe 12 1.7 1.9 100,0

Total 630 93,1 100,0

Missing System 47 6,9

Total 677 100,0

Top 5 Safe Neighborhoods(perceived as very safe to extremely safe)

1. Andrei Muresanu (78,6%)2. Centru (76,3%)3. Marasti (57%)4. Gheorgheni (57%)5. Manastur (49,7%)

Home price explainedRegression Model Description

• N = 487 (owners), R-squared = 0.328.

• Dependent variable: home price

• Independent variables: structural and property characteristics that influenced a purchaser’s decision to buy a home, such as:

• Total square meters

• Walkability to nearby places

• Architecture

Preliminary results for Cluj (I)

Higher property value is explained by the following structural and property attributes:

Property attribute

1. Interior design

2. Ease of walking & biking to nearby places

3. Total square meters

Preliminary results for Cluj (II)

Higher property value is explained by the following neighbourhood attributes:

Positive relationship Negative relationship

Interior design Close supermarket

Ease of walking & biking to nearby places

Total square meters

Closeness to bars and restaurants

Other property attributes that explain home prices

• Number of bedrooms & bathrooms• Garage• Porch

Conclusions (I)

• People from both Mid-West and Cluj walk often

• Destinations that are within a 15-minutes or even 20 minutes or walk of their home

• Walkability is one of the main factors involved in people’s decisions to purchase or rent a house

In order to raise house value in Cluj

Similar to Mid-West,• More bedrooms & bathrooms & square footage• Presence of garage • Nearby parks & recreation• Ease of walking & biking to nearby places• Safety

Next step

• Apply the study to an extended area in Romania (North-Western region)