Perceptions of Quality of Life Among Various Groups of Residents in Cities Aspiring to Be Smart in a Developing Economy

Highlights: What are the main findings? The assessment of the quality of life in cities varies due to demographic, social, and geographical characteristics and cannot be generalized (the differences may be ambiguous and multidirectional). At the regional level, despite similar socioeconomic conditions, there are significant differences in the residents’ quality of life, creating a risk of imbalance and exclusion of some cities from further regional development. The perspective of the quality of life varies in different groups of residents; however, the identified differences do not always correspond to the generally accepted direction of exclusion. The quality of life is moderately positively correlated with the economic conditions of cities, but this is not the only condition for a higher quality of life and a city’s aspiration to be smart. What are the implications of the main findings? Theoretically, the analysis provides new knowledge on the diversity of quality-of-life assessments in cities depending on the demographic and social characteristics of residents and the regional location of cities. In practical terms, the study provides information on the assessment of quality of life from the perspective of residents (very rarely found in the literature) of large cities located in a developing economy. In terms of recommendations, the results of the study indicate directions for improving living conditions in cities and the Silesian province, which can also be used in other geographical locations. The inspiration and main goal for creating smart cities is to improve the quality of urban life. However, this ambitious task is not always successful as urban stakeholders are not homogeneous. Their experiences and expectations can vary significantly, which ultimately affects their level of satisfaction with life in the city. This article assesses the quality of life in 19 cities with county rights located in the Silesian province of Poland. The assessment takes into account stakeholders’ age, gender, education, and household size. The study also assesses the geographical variation in the quality of life in individual cities in the region with a view to individualizing the management approach. The research methodology is based on a survey conducted in a representative sample of 1863 residents of Silesian cities. The results are analyzed using descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests. The conclusions indicate a lower quality of life for women, residents aged 31 to 40, and people with primary education and a bachelor’s degree. The quality of life is significantly worse in post-mining towns where economic transformation has not been successfully implemented. The quality of urban life is rated highest by men, older people, and residents with basic and secondary education. Communities living in cities with modern industry and a stable economic situation are very satisfied with their standard of living. The results of the study imply the need for an individualized approach to shaping living conditions in cities and the implementation of remedial measures for groups and cities at risk of a lower quality of life. This will help to balance the quality of urban life and prevent various forms of exclusion.