The Role of Culture in Residents' Perceived Well-being in Suburbs

Abstract

The aim of the article is to understand the role of culture in the experienced well-being of people living in suburbs. The data was collected in the research project Forms and Meanings of Cultural Activities in the Suburbs of the 2020s and consists of a survey and ethnographic interviews, workshops and observation data. In the article, we apply the concept of perceived well-being based on Erik Allardt's theory. Through the classification of different dimensions of well-being, we highlight the role of culture in constructing meaningful lives in suburbs. The research is based on a broad definition of culture. In addition to actual cultural and artistic activities, it refers to community, attachment to a place and meaningful leisure activities. According to the results, Finnish suburbs have potential to serve as living environments that support the well-being of residents in the 2020s. The role of non-governmental organizations and voluntary work in cultural activities is particularly significant. The importance of culture for experienced well-being is especially emphasized for people that spend a lot of time in their area of residence, such as the elderly, children and young people, immigrants and those outside of working life.