Perceived urban quality and environmental well-being during the post-earthquake in the emergency housing of L’Aquila

The present research investigated the relationship between age and environmental well-being, exploring how individuals’ judgment of their residential environment also known as perceived urban quality affects this association. The study was conducted with 100 inhabitants of MAPs (Moduli Abitativi Provvisori – Temporary Housing Modules) and CASE projects (Complessi Antisismici Sostenibili ed Ecocompatibili – Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Anti-Seismic Complexes) built after the earthquake that struck L’Aquila city (Italy) on 6 April 2009. Participants completed a short socio-demographic questionnaire, the Perceived Residential Environment Quality, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief. The results showed that the mediating effect of perceived urban quality on the association between age and environmental well-being. This evidence means that as individuals’ age increases, perceived urban quality increases, and people experience a better environmental well-being. The present study yielded some noteworthy theoretical implications regarding the potential psychological consequences of living in emergency housing. Limitations and future research avenues are discussed.