URBAN PARADOXES – “THE OTHER SIDE” OF URBAN GROWTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN EUROPEAN CITIES

Despite the centripetal forces that pull the population to a “better life” in the urban areas, analyses which deal with measuring urban characteristics confirm urban paradoxes. The aim of this paper is to describe relationship between urban paradoxes and quality of life in European cities. After theoretical overview of the previous studies, logistic regression has been applied to determine if there is significant association between urban paradoxes and perception of the quality of life. The results indicate that urban paradoxes regarding the availability of adequate housing at a reasonable price and finding a good job have shown significant relationship with the urban quality of life. It is important to define new and apply the existing regional policy instruments that can timely recognize these paradoxes, as well as implement the measures on urban level in order to prevent saturation and negative effects of its growth on the quality of life