Structural equations model with influential variables on the urban quality of life. Case study: Cienfuegos’ city, Cuba

Abstract

This paper presents a structural equations model (SEM) that measures the Urban Quality of Life (UQoL), taking Cienfuegos' city (Cuba) as a reference. The objective is to determine the variables that influence the UQoL through a procedure that allows the design of two models: one from the objective dimension and the other from the subjective dimension. The results show a model of relationships between management indicators, based on data provided by local decision-makers, and another model relating perception indicators from the citizens. The comparison between these models generalizes that variables such as health, housing, personal income, and environmental pollution are determining factors in the UQoL.