Senior Research Assistant Anamaria Klasić held a presentation at the network International Association People-Environment Studies

Senior Research Assistant Anamaria Klasić held a presentation for the Early Career Researchers Network (ECRN), operating as part of the International Association People-Environment Studies (IAPS). The presentation was held on 19 March under the title “Quality of Life in the Housing Estates of the Socialist and Post-socialist Era in Croatia: New Steps towards the Green Transition“. The presentation offered a comparison of housing satisfaction among residents of socialist and post-socialist housing estates at the level of building and the level of estate. The analysis was based on a questionnaire survey conducted in 2022 in four largest Croatian cities (N = 1536). Possible improvements of the quality of life were then considered within the framework of the green transition process, which is in Croatia promoted through the implementation of strategies set by the supranational political framework of the EU. The results suggest that socialist estates require systematical renovation, including a preservation of public spaces and a comprehensive energy-efficient renovation. On the other hand, post-socialist estates mostly lack green areas, whereas the improvement of the quality of life requires key solutions based on nature, as well as additional green infrastructure to mitigate climate effects, such as urban heat islands.

The presentation is a result of research work on two projects of the Institute for Social Research in Zagreb: “Quality of living in the Housing Estates of the socialist and post-socialist era: A comparative analysis between Slovenia and Croatia“ (HESC, 2020-2023, financed by the Croatian Science Foundation) and “Effects of the Europeanization Process in Selected Urban-Rural Areas of Croatia“ (HREUURBRUR – ISRZ Programme Agreement, 2024-2027, financed by the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth supported by the NextGenerationEU fund). Senior Research Assistant is a member of the project teams of these projects, which are both led by Anđelina Svirčić Gotovac, PhD.