Handbook of Quality of Life Research Place and Space Perspectives
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Edited by Robert W. Marans, Research Professor Emeritus, Institute for Social Research and Professor Emeritus of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Michigan, US, Robert J. Stimson, Emeritus Professor of Geography, University of Queensland, and Honorary Professorial Fellow of Geography, University of Melbourne, Australia and Noah J. Webster, Associate Research Scientist, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, US<i>'Overall, the book is a rich, well-researched and altogether pleasant read on a bourgeoning topic that ramifies into broader debates concerning how we plan for, imagine and experience the places and spaces we inhabit. The chapters can be read independently, as each provides a focused overview of the literature, and most include an empirical case that illustrates the research problem at hand. The book emphasizes the complexity of the field, conceptually, disciplinarily and methodologically, while providing a harmonizing overview and a basis for future research.'</i>
- Ana Mafalda Madureira, Applied Research in Quality of Life,
<i>‘Quality of life can be quite the nebulous subject of study. Despite this, Marans, Stimson and Webster present a cogent and insightful foray into the topic from much-needed place-based perspectives along with measurement and applications approaches. Prediction - this book will quickly become a definitive resource for quality-of-life studies!’</i>
- Rhonda Phillips, former president of the International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies,
<i>‘As the environment on Earth changes around us, so too does the experience of community living. And the most salient indicator of whether our species will continue to flourish is measured life quality. In this most timely volume, esteemed authors provide invaluable information and advice regarding community well-being and change.’</i>
- Robert A. Cummins, Deakin University, Australia,
<i>‘This edited book by Marans, Stimson, and Webster is a great Handbook involving a set of chapters written by experts in a variety of disciplines and fields of study. The focus of the Handbook is quality of life from a place and space perspective. The Handbook addresses issues of community well-being that can assist scholars in advancing the research agenda and practitioners in formulating more effective policies and designing urban plans to enhance the quality of life of community residents. As such, I believe that this Handbook is a treasure for both scholars and policy makers, and I recommend it highly.’</i>
- M. Joseph Sirgy, Virginia Tech, US, and North West University, South Africa,
<i>‘This is an important collection of quality of life/well-being studies edited and written by pioneers and leaders in the contemporary research field. Special attention is given to the relatively under-studied significance of geographic place and space, with complexity of issues, methods, theories and findings thoroughly explained in user-friendly terms. Policy makers, planners and researchers in the field will find this volume a welcome aid to their work.’</i>
- Alex C. Michalos, editor of the Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research,
The Handbook of Quality of Life Research brings together an international array of esteemed academics who examine QOL through a series of case studies and empirical investigations, covering a range of environmental settings from rural and metropolitan regions to neighbourhoods and home environments to hospitals. Chapters use a range of methodologies and theoretical perspectives to investigate QOL in relation to place and space and their unique impacts on people. In light of the current threat posed by the climate crisis and changing worldwide demographic trends, the Handbook explores issues of migration, the impact of urbanization, the effect of natural environments and environmental degradation on QOL, and a sub-section dedicated to the importance of place for the well-being of older adults.
Offering critical methodological insight into the complex and elusive concept of QOL, this book will be crucial reading for students and scholars of urban geography, social and cultural geography, sociology and sociological theory, and environmental psychology. Also, given presentation of timely empirical findings, it will be an invaluable read for urban and regional planners.