An Ecological Economics Capital Stock Approach to Quality of Life Assessment in

Burlington, Vermont, USA

Andrews, C., Antonucci, J., Augeri, S., Berliet, E., Birkby, M., Brennan, W., Andrews, C., Antonucci, J., Augeri, S., Berliet, E., Birkby, M., Brennan, W., Brown, E., Brundige, M., Buechler, M., Cohen, M., Coleman, C., Coogan, C., Brown, E., Brundige, M., Buechler, M., Cohen, M., Coleman, C., Coogan, C., Cooper, A., Costello, K., Crane, M., D'Aversa, A., Davis, A., DeCelles, J., Cooper, A., Costello, K., Crane, M., D'Aversa, A., Davis, A., DeCelles, J., Delgado, A., DiBiccari, M., Dudley, H., Dye, J., Effler, A., Egbers, M., Delgado, A., DiBiccari, M., Dudley, H., Dye, J., Effler, A., Egbers, M., Freeman, P., Gilmartin, M., Graves, E., Hall, M., Hancock, C., Harrison, E., Freeman, P., Gilmartin, M., Graves, E., Hall, M., Hancock, C., Harrison, E., Hartz, E., Hayes, K., Herold-Lind, C., Holthaus, R., Hubbard, D., Johansson, Hartz, E., Hayes, K., Herold-Lind, C., Holthaus, R., Hubbard, D., Johansson,

H., Junger, L., Kelly, B., H., Junger, L., Kelly, B., Kelly, J.,Kelly, J., Kirschner, A., Klein, A., Martin, M., Kirschner, A., Klein, A., Martin, M., Marvin, I., McCreight, C., O'Donoghue, B., Palmer, M., Parke, B., Pearlstein, Marvin, I., McCreight, C., O'Donoghue, B., Palmer, M., Parke, B., Pearlstein, A., Randall, J., Reeves, C., Rosa, D., Smith, C., Smith, J., Sterling, R., A., Randall, J., Reeves, C., Rosa, D., Smith, C., Smith, J., Sterling, R., Sullivan, C., Van Etten, T., Verinis, A., Virchick, P., Voinov, A., Waters, J. Sullivan, C., Van Etten, T., Verinis, A., Virchick, P., Voinov, A., Waters, J.

Photo: Anton Voinov

Previous SurveysSURVEY YEAR SPONSOR FOCUS

Old North End

Neighborhood Survey

2000 UVM Comm. Leadership Project

NH QOL

Vermonter Poll 2003

(yearly)

UVM Center for Rural Studies

Overall life satisfac. NH cohesiveness

Pulse of Vermont 2000

(every 5)

VT Business Roundtable

Statewide QOL

Community Needs Assessment

2000

(every 5)

United Way of Chittenden Cty.

Community needs assessment

Civic Participation in Vermont

2000 Snelling Center Attitudes about civic participation

Our Children, Our Future Youth, and Developmental Assets

1999 Champlain Initiative

Children’s acquistion of 40 developmental assets

11-111-2

8-1

8-2

10-1

10-2

9-19-29-3

7-1

7-2

6-16-2

4-1

4-34-2

5-1

5-2

5-3

3-1

3-2

1-1

1-2

2-1

2-2

2-32-4

Eight Neighborhoods

1 – New North End

2 – Old North End

3 – Downtown

4 – Collegetown

5 – Northeast

6 – The Hill

8 – South End

7 – Pine Street

Thanks to Margaret Bozik fromCEDO Burlington, and Eric Brown our resident pizza guy!

Neighborhood Populations

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

New N

. End

Old N

. End

Downt

own

Colleg

e To

wn

North

east

The H

ill

Pine S

treet

South

End

Census Survey

Education

0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%

Gradu

ate

Bache

lors

Assoc

iates

High S

choo

l

No Hig

h Sch

ool

Census Sample

Income

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Under$15,000

$15,000-$30,000

$30,000-$60,000

$60,000-$120,000

Over$120,000

Census Sample

Survey Questions

I. Neighborhood Identity

II. Built Capital

III. Natural Capital

IV. Human Capital

V. Social Capital

VI. Total Quality of Life

VII. Demographics

Photo: Anton Voinov

Neighborhood IdentityPlease rank the top five regions according to which ones you most

identify with as your home, from 1 (most identify) to 5 (least identify).

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

Neighb

orho

od

Burlin

gton

Chitte

nden

Cou

nty

Verm

ont

New E

nglan

d

North

east

U.S.

United

Sta

tes

North

Am

erica

Wor

ldOth

er

Most Identify (1st) Least Identify (5th)

Importance vs. Happiness

For questions rating For questions rating

importance: happiness:

[1] Very important [1] Very happy[2] Important [2] Happy[3] Neither important [3] Neither happy or unimportant or unhappy[4] Unimportant [4] Unhappy[5] Very unimportant [5] Very unhappy

Photo: Anton Voinov

Built Capital

How How importantimportant are the things you own or rent (for are the things you own or rent (for example, your home, car, furniture, clothes, example, your home, car, furniture, clothes, etc.) to your happiness and quality of life? etc.) to your happiness and quality of life?

Photo: Anton Voinov

Built Capital Importance(Burlington)

30%

46%

15%

6%3%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

VeryImportant

Important NeitherImportant orUnimportant

Unimportant VeryUnimportant

Mean = 2.07Std. Dev. = 0.98

BUILT CAPITALImportance less Happiness Scores

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

Home Transportation Food & drink

Consumer durables Personal accessories Entertainment goods

Mean Importance:Mean Importance:HomeHome 1.581.58Food & DrinkFood & Drink 1.851.85TransportationTransportation 2.242.24EntertainmentEntertainment 2.642.64Cons. DurablesCons. Durables 2.672.67Pers. Access.Pers. Access. 2.672.67

Mean Happiness:Mean Happiness:Food & DrinkFood & Drink 1.771.77HomeHome 1.851.85EntertainmentEntertainment 2.082.08TransportationTransportation 2.122.12Pers. Access.Pers. Access. 2.162.16Cons. DurablesCons. Durables 2.192.19

Average Happiness

Built Capital 2.07

Public Investment 2.38

Private Investment 2.35

City Wide Built Capital Happiness

Photo: Anton Voinov

Are you happy with your current family or personal yearly income?

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

under 15 15-30 30-60 60-120 over 120

No

Yes

Percent “Yes” for Burlington = 66%

If not, how much more income per yearwould you need to be satisfied?

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

under 5K 5-10K 10-25K 25-50K 50-100K 100K-1Million

over aMillion

Natural Capital

How How importantimportant is the quality of the natural is the quality of the natural environment in which you live (for example, environment in which you live (for example, air, water, open space, cleanliness) to your air, water, open space, cleanliness) to your happiness and quality of life? happiness and quality of life?

Natural Capital Importance(Burlington)

63%

26%

8%

2% 2%0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

VeryImportant

Important NeitherImportant orUnimportant

Unimportant VeryUnimportant

Mean = 1.53Std. Dev. = 0.83

Built Capital Importance(Burlington)

30%

46%

15%

6%3%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

VeryImportant

Important NeitherImportant orUnimportant

Unimportant VeryUnimportant

Mean = 2.07Std. Dev. = 0.98

Human Capital

How important are investments made in yourself (for example, education, job skills, health, spirituality) to your happiness and quality of life?

Photo: Anton Voinov

Human Capital Importance (Burlington)

65%

28%

5%1% 2%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

VeryImportant

Important NeitherImportant orUnimportant

Unimportant VeryUnimportant

Mean = 1.46Std. Dev. = 0.77

Social Capital

How important are relationships with your family and friends to your happiness and quality of life?

How important are interactions with people in your neighborhood to your happiness and quality of life?

Social Capital Importance(Family & Friends, Burlington)

80%

16%

2% 1% 2%0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

VeryImportant

Important NeitherImportant orUnimportant

Unimportant VeryUnimportant

Mean = 1.28Std. Dev. = 0.70

Social Capital Importance(Neighbors, Burlington)

17%

35%34%

11%

4%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

VeryImportant

Important NeitherImportant orUnimportant

Unimportant VeryUnimportant

Mean = 2.49Std. Dev. = 1.01

Total Quality of Life

How would you rate your overall quality of life (on a scale from 1 [very high] to 5 [very low])?

Please distribute 100 points across the following four categories according to their importance to your overall quality of life.

Personal and public investments in your home, lifestyle, and neighborhood

Investments and access to the natural environment in or near your neighborhood

Your personal well-being and investments made in yourself

Your relationship with your family, friends, and community

Photo: Anton Voinov

Total Quality of Life Happiness(Burlington)

35%

47%

10%

6%2%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

Very Happy Happy NeitherHappy orUnhappy

Unhappy VeryUnhappy

Mean = 1.91Std. Dev. = 0.90

Distribution of Importanceof Capital Stocks

Built20%

Natural18%

Human26%

Social36%

Overall Quality of Life (All)

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

under15 15-30 30-60 60-120 over120

Very happy or happy Neither, unhappy, or very unhappy

Student Effect?

Testing the Income Effect

Overall Quality of Life (w/o Students)

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

under15 15-30 30-60 60-120 over120

Very happy or happy Neither, unhappy, or very unhappy

Without Students21% of respondents

Testing the Income Effect

Neighborhood Analysis

Total Quality of Life andHappiness with Capital Stocks

0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

2.00

2.50

Burlin

gton

New N

. End

Old N

. End

Downt

own

Colleg

e To

wn

North

east

The H

ill

Pine S

treet

South

End

Av

era

ge

Ha

pp

ine

ss

Sc

ore Total Quality of Life

Built Capital

Natural Capital

Human Capital

Social Capital

Time Allocation

Please distribute 100 points across the following four categories according to their importance to your overall quality of life.

Personal and public investments in your home, lifestyle, and neighborhood Investments and access to the natural environment in or near your neighborhood Your personal well-being and investments made in yourself Your relationship with your family, friends, and community

Time Allocation

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Burlin

gton

New N. E

nd

Old N. E

nd

Downtow

n

College

Tow

n

Northea

st

The H

ill

Pine S

treet

South

End

Personal

Family

Household Chores

Volunteering

Employment

11-111-2

8-1

8-2

10-1

10-2

9-19-29-3

7-1

7-2

6-16-2

4-1

4-34-2

5-1

5-2

5-3

3-1

3-2

1-1

1-2

2-1

2-2

2-32-4

New North End Ranking (Data)

Avg. Quality of Life 6 (1.95)

Avg. Happiness with: Built Capital 4 (1.99) Natural Capital4 (2.01) Human Capital4 (2.11) Social Capital 2 (2.01)

Avg. Time Spent doing: Employment 4 (33%) Volunteer Activities 3 (9%) Household Chores 1 (21%) Family Activities 2 (19%) Personal Activities 8 (20%)

Percent with Health Ins. 4 (93%)Home Ownership 1 (73%)Satisfied with Yrly Income 2 (75%)

11-111-2

8-1

8-2

10-1

10-2

9-19-29-3

7-1

7-2

6-16-2

4-1

4-34-2

5-1

5-2

5-3

3-1

3-2

1-1

1-2

2-1

2-2

2-32-4

Old North End Ranking (Data)

Avg. Quality of Life 8 (2.10)

Avg. Happiness with: Built Capital 7 (2.11) Natural Capital 8 (2.35) Human Capital2 (2.00) Social Capital 4 (2.25)

Avg. Time Spent doing: Employment 2 (37%) Volunteer Activities 5 (7%) Household Chores 3 (19%) Family Activities 8 (16%) Personal Activities 6 (23%)

Percent with Health Ins. 8 (81%)Home Ownership 4 (55%)Satisfied with Yrly Income 7 (52%)

Downtown

11-111-2

8-1

8-2

10-1

10-2

9-19-29-3

7-1

7-2

6-16-2

4-1

4-34-2

5-1

5-2

5-3

3-1

3-2

1-1

1-2

2-1

2-2

2-32-4

Ranking (Data)Avg. Quality of Life 7 (2.10)

Avg. Happiness with: Built Capital 8 (2.29) Natural Capital7 (2.34) Human Capital5 (2.13) Social Capital 8 (2.38)

Avg. Time Spent doing: Employment 7 (26%) Volunteer Activities 7 (7%) Household Chores 4 (18%) Family Activities 6 (18%) Personal Activities 2 (33%)

Percent with Health Ins. 5 (93%)Home Ownership 7 (15%)Satisfied with Yrly Income 5 (64%)

11-111-2

8-1

8-2

10-1

10-2

9-19-29-3

7-1

7-2

6-16-2

4-1

4-34-2

5-1

5-2

5-3

3-1

3-2

1-1

1-2

2-1

2-2

2-32-4

Collegetown Ranking (Data)

Avg. Quality of Life 3 (1.88)

Avg. Happiness with: Built Capital 5 (2.07) Natural Capital6 (2.31) Human Capital7 (2.22) Social Capital 7 (2.33)

Avg. Time Spent doing: Employment 5 (28%) Volunteer Activities 8 (6%) Household Chores 8 (14%) Family Activities 3 (19%) Personal Activities 1 (33%)

Percent with Health Ins. 7 (85%)Home Ownership 6 (17%)Satisfied w/ Yrly Income 8 (51%)

11-111-2

8-1

8-2

10-1

10-2

9-19-29-3

7-1

7-2

6-16-2

4-1

4-34-2

5-1

5-2

5-3

3-1

3-2

1-1

1-2

2-1

2-2

2-32-4

Northeast Ranking (Data)

Avg. Quality of Life 5 (1.95)

Avg. Happiness with: Built Capital 3 (1.92) Natural Capital5 (2.21) Human Capital3 (2.08) Social Capital 6 (2.27)

Avg. Time Spent doing: Employment 6 (27%) Volunteer Activities 2 (11%) Household Chores 2 (20%) Family Activities 7 (17%) Personal Activities 4 (27%)

Percent with Health Ins. 1 (100%)Home Ownership 8 (7%)Satisfied with Yrly Income 3 (68%)

The Hill

11-111-2

8-1

8-2

10-1

10-2

9-19-29-3

7-1

7-2

6-16-2

4-1

4-34-2

5-1

5-2

5-3

3-1

3-2

1-1

1-2

2-1

2-2

2-32-4

Ranking (Data)Avg. Quality of Life 1 (1.50)

Avg. Happiness with: Built Capital 2 (1.88) Natural Capital 1 (1.78) Human Capital 1 (1.96) Social Capital 1 (2.01)

Avg. Time Spent doing: Employment 8 (24%) Volunteer Activities 4 (8%) Household Chores 7 (14%) Family Activities 1 (26%) Personal Activities 3 (29%)

Percent with Health Ins. 2 (98%)Home Ownership 2 (73%)Satisfied w/ Yrly Income 1 (77%)

Pine Street

11-111-2

8-1

8-2

10-1

10-2

9-19-29-3

7-1

7-2

6-16-2

4-1

4-34-2

5-1

5-2

5-3

3-1

3-2

1-1

1-2

2-1

2-2

2-32-4

Ranking (Data)Avg. Quality of Life 4 (1.89)

Avg. Happiness with: Built Capital 6 (2.08) Natural Capital3 (1.98) Human Capital 8 (2.22) Social Capital 3 (2.14)

Avg. Time Spent doing: Employment 3 (33%) Volunteer Activities 6 (7%) Household Chores 5 (17%) Family Activities 5 (18%) Personal Activities 5 (24%)

Percent with Health Ins. 6 (90%)Home Ownership 5 (51%)Satisfied with Yrly Income 6 (63%)

South End

11-111-2

8-1

8-2

10-1

10-2

9-19-29-3

7-1

7-2

6-16-2

4-1

4-34-2

5-1

5-2

5-3

3-1

3-2

1-1

1-2

2-1

2-2

2-32-4

Ranking (Data)Avg. Quality of Life 2 (1.85)

Avg. Happiness with: Built Capital 1 (1.82) Natural Capital2 (1.92) Human Capital6 (2.22) Social Capital 5 (2.26)

Avg. Time Spent doing: Employment 1 (37%) Volunteer Activities 1 (13%) Household Chores 6 (15%) Family Activities 4 (19%) Personal Activities 7 (21%)

Percent with Health Ins. 3 (95%)Home Ownership 3 (61%)Satisfied with Yrly Income 4 (67%)

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

Total Qualityof Life

Built Capital NaturalCapital

HumanCapital

SocialCapital1

(Friends &Family)

SocialCapital2

(Neighbors)

Avera

ge S

co

re(1

=n

ot

at

all

to

5=

very

gre

atl

y)

Burlington I ntentional Communities

Burlington v. EcoVillages

Thanks to:

• Burlington Legacy Project Burlington Legacy Project (www.cedo.ci.burlington.vt.us/legacy/)(www.cedo.ci.burlington.vt.us/legacy/)– In particular the Community Indicators committee, In particular the Community Indicators committee,

Betsy Rosenbluth, and Sandra O’Flaherty.Betsy Rosenbluth, and Sandra O’Flaherty.

• Community and Economic Development Office Community and Economic Development Office (www.cedoburlington.org)(www.cedoburlington.org)– In particular Margaret Bozik and Beth Ruzansky.In particular Margaret Bozik and Beth Ruzansky.

• UVM and Gund FacultyUVM and Gund Faculty– In particular, Bob Costanza, Josh Farley, Lynne Bond, In particular, Bob Costanza, Josh Farley, Lynne Bond,

Matthew Wilson, Gary Flo, and Roel Boumans.Matthew Wilson, Gary Flo, and Roel Boumans.

Photo: Anton Voinov

Evolving analysis and results posted at:

www.uvm.edu/~jdericks/QOL/

Photo: Anton Voinov