Housing Wishes of Austrian School Children

Abstract

In Austria, environmental design research is a rare event; environmental and behavioral research about children is almost non-existent. Recently, two pioneer studies were run in this area: First, housing wishes, opinions and criticisms of rural Salzburg high school pupils (n= 104; 16-19 years) were compiled by a questionnaire survey. Second, an allAustria drawing contest was held for children and young people (up to 18 years) titled "Who knows what's to come?" It stimulated future fantasies and was organized by a housing savings bank. A content analysis of the housing drawings (n=154; 4-15 years) is presented. Both studies found that young Austrians are very concerned about their indoor and outdoor housing environments. Ten to thirty percent of the high school pupils involved were interested in (yet non-existent) elective courses on housing.