The Impact of Construction Logistics and Project Implementation on Urban Quality of Life: The Grounded Theory Approach

Abstract

Increased entrepreneurship and an influx of residents to urban areas requires the expansion of the housing and service infrastructure. However, at the stage of construction project implementation, the necessary technical, technological, and transport processes may significantly affect urban logistics and residents’ lives. A literature review showed that there is no exhaustive research on this topic. Therefore, the authors aimed to assess the impact of residential and non-residential (commercial) construction projects carried out in Szczecin on residents’ quality of life. The research process was based on an inductive approach, which enabled conclusions to be drawn in this research area. For this purpose, structured observations and expert consultations as well as surveys related to construction projects were carried out. The research result was the identification of areas related to construction project implementation that have a significant impact on quality of life, which may serve as a basis for preparing city development plans by local authorities.

1. Introduction

Intensifying urbanization processes combine with the increasing consumerism and globalization of the present day. These circumstances induce the need to boost trade, transport, and construction processes, thus contributing to numerous problems that affect modern cities [1]. Urban environments are becoming increasingly built-up, overpopulated, and overfilled with vehicles. As a result, communities are more and more affected by negative effects related to the natural environment, social injustice, and economic inequality [2,3]. In response to the diagnosed phenomena, the concept of sustainable development is now more widely discussed and implemented as a solution to the problems, but the human factor is usually dominated by economic and environmental goals.

1.1. Sustainable Development and Quality of Life in Cities

Sustainable cities and communities are one of the goals of sustainable development. This means that measures must be taken to provide decent living conditions for urban residents by ensuring a natural environment of appropriate quality, safe and sustainable transport, access to green and inclusive public spaces, professional development opportunities, access to education and healthcare, safe and affordable housing and access to services [4]. The implementation of these goals directly contributes to residents’ quality of life (QoL). However, to improve QoL, it is first necessary to complete appropriate construction projects that consist of the erection of residential buildings as well as service facilities and the necessary infrastructure.

1.2. The Study of Urban Environment Quality

The assessment of urban environment is conducted using a wide range of indicators within the areas of environment, economy, social, and cultural aspects. In the field of construction, such an assessment applies both to the evaluation of individual buildings and to overall urban development [5]. Among the methods used for this assessment are, for example, life-cycle assessment (LCA) [6], sustainability assessment [7], assessment frameworks, rating-system methods, and certification systems (e.g., Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighbourhood Development, or BRE Environmental Assessment Method for Communities) [5]. Depending on the chosen approach, the set of assessed parameters will vary, but they encompass all phases of a building’s life cycle, starting from the design phase, through construction and commissioning, to operation, decommissioning, renovation, and demolition. These parameters directly impact the quality of life of residents, as they are the end users of the buildings. However, at the stage of construction project implementation, key factors will include parameters related to transportation for construction purposes, construction site logistics, selected construction technologies, choice of building materials, and waste management [7,8].

1.3. Existing Studies and Authors’ Contributions

The literature review showed a research gap concerning the human factor in sustainable building activity. Researchers predominantly focus on the environmental impacts of the construction industry and green construction [9,10], sustainable construction and the circular economy [11,12], residents’ perceptions of construction impacts [13], and also on the impact of construction projects on urban logistics [14].

1.4. The Goals and Objectives of the Study

The aims of the article are to assess the impact of construction logistics and project implementation carried out in Szczecin on the quality of life of its residents. Due to its multidimensionality, quality of life can be determined by indicators that take into account various aspects [15]. The scope of this paper was limited to parameters from selected QoL dimensions, taking into account the possibility of assessment using the adopted research methodology. No parameters from the personal freedom and relationships dimensions were considered due to their lack of relevance to the research objective. The research result was the identification of areas related to construction project implementation that have the greatest impact on quality of life, which may serve as a basis for preparing city development plans by local authorities.

1.5. Methodology of the Study

The proposed research method focuses on narrowing the topic to the area of the impact of construction projects on quality of life. The research study was limited to residential and non-residential projects due to the specific nature of the works carried out and the impact exerted on the neighbourhood. The research process was predicated on an inductive approach, which enabled conclusions to be drawn in this research area. For this purpose, structured observations and expert consultations as well as interviews and surveys related to construction projects were carried out.

1.6. Structure of the Study

Section 2 presents the concept of urban quality of life. In Section 3, the authors outline the impact of the implementation of residential and non-residential construction projects on a city’s functioning. Section 4 describes the research methodology, while Section 5 discusses the research findings. Section 6 includes a discussion of other studies in the area covered, and the last section, Section 7, sums up and offers conclusions.

2. Urban Quality of Life

Even though quality of life (QoL) is a term frequently used in research papers, it still lacks a clear definition. Initially, QoL was used by doctors and statisticians in the context of diseases and epidemics. Over time, the concept developed into a tool that made it possible to analyse the changes in and diagnose the condition of the society or economy [16]. Nowadays, the QoL concept is applied even more widely, and various authors, depending on the field of application, highlight diverse aspects related to living conditions, health, healthcare expenditure, social relations, requirements in the context of professional and personal development, education, political situation, demography, ecology, and economics [17,18].

It is possible to state that QoL is a multidimensional concept that makes it possible for an individual to evaluate various areas of their life. Depending on the area of application, indicators and metrics for measuring QoL should be selected accordingly. It is possible to distinguish the following approaches to defining the QoL concept [15,18,19,20,21,22,23,24]:

• “to have” and “to be” oriented, which are decisive for a high or low quality of life;
• definitions in which the key QoL factor is the degree of development and life goal realization;
• based on the degree of satisfaction in various areas of social life;
• based on objective (prosperity) and subjective (well-being) criteria.

According to this, 11 dimensions of QoL can be identified as follows: economic prosperity, education, health (one’s own and others’), natural environment, municipal and housing infrastructure, social infrastructure, safety and security, labour, cultural fulfilment, personal freedom, and relationships. Each of these dimensions includes a wide range of parameters used for evaluation, depending on the research topic and methodology [23].

Due to intensifying globalization processes, urban quality of life (UQoL) has more frequently become the subject of research. Research studies have shown that UQoL has a significant impact on overall perceived quality of life [25]. These studies cover a wide area and regard QoL perception in various contexts, e.g., smart cities [26], compact urban forms [27], urban poverty and slum housing upgrading [28], or the changing urban environment [29]. These studies have demonstrated that quality of life has increased along with the development of urban environments. However, this development could not possibly be achieved without completing construction projects which at the implementation stage may have a negative impact on QoL, due to inconveniences associated with carrying out construction activities. The lack of research in the context of human factors in sustainable building served as a motivation to take up the research topic.

For research purposes, the definition of QoL that the authors adopted used an approach based on objective and subjective criteria. Predicated on the literature review, parameters affecting urban quality of life were identified. These were selected from various dimensions of QoL, taking into account the possibility of assessment using the adopted research methodology. Only a few parameters from the education, health (one’s own and others’), safety and security, labour, and cultural fulfilment dimensions was selected for assessment. These were related to the accessibility of infrastructure and were assigned to thematically related areas. No parameters from the personal freedom and relationships dimensions were considered due to their lack of relevance to the research objective. The selected parameters are presented in

Table 1. City features associated with urban quality of life [30,31,32].

Category	Parameter
Economic prosperity	Cost of living
	Access to the labour market
	Opportunity for professional development
	Store availability
	Financial and property safety
Natural environment	Air pollution
	Noise pollution
	Water and land pollution
	Environmental safety
Social infrastructure	Public transport
	Accessibility of culture
	Access to educational facilities
	Access to healthcare
	Availability of infrastructure for children
	Availability of places to practise sports
	Availability of infrastructure for animals
Municipal and housing infrastructure	Access to the real estate market
	Care and cleanliness
	Community
	Infrastructure safety

.

Assessing the impact of construction projects on the identified parameters will make it possible to evaluate urban residents’ quality of life. They will also serve as a basis for determining the most sensitive issues related to construction activities, which in turn will make it possible to provide recommendations in this regard for enterprises and local authorities.

3. The Impact of Residential and Non-Residential (Commercial) Construction Project Implementation on the Functioning of Cities

Urban development would be impossible without the implementation of construction projects. The growing population needs a constant increase in housing resources as well as non-residential facilities where services and goods will be offered. However, global construction industry reports as well as the statistical data of the Central Statistical Office have shown a slowdown in the construction business [33,34]. There has been a decrease in residential development, both in the number of commissioned buildings (by 7.6% in 2023 compared with 2022 in Poland) and the number of issued building permits for future construction projects (by 19.1%). However, in the area of infrastructure and non-residential construction projects, an increase was observed both in Poland (an average increase of 14% in 2023 compared with 2022) and abroad. It is in this area that the development potential for 2024 was anticipated [35].

Despite these disturbing trends in residential development, construction processes carried out in cities are going to intensify, which also means that their impact on the functioning of urban centres and residents’ quality of life will aggravate; this issue is presented in Figure 1.

This influence can be felt in many aspects. On the one hand, the construction industry contributes to economic development and better living conditions. On the other hand, the industry is to a large extent responsible for CO2 emissions (27% of global emissions), global energy consumption (30%), and landfill waste generation (35%) [36]. This is primarily related to the specific nature of the industry and its indispensable technical and technological processes. Construction project implementation entails the need to use transport, which contributes to the intensification of transport problems in cities (congestion, compromised safety, and condition of the infrastructure), while carrying out the works using machinery and equipment contributes to noise emission and air pollution [37]. Additionally, the construction project’s location may require changes in the use of areas located outside the construction site, which may affect residents’ safety and mobility, the accessibility of transport and infrastructure, and indirectly affect the associated costs of living. Thus, despite the positive effects of the completion of construction projects, at the stage of their implementation they can have significant negative impacts on residents’ quality of life.

4. Research Methodology

4.1. Procedure and Interviews Schedule

In order to identify the impact exerted by (residential and non-residential) construction projects on urban quality of life, this study used the following qualitative methods: structured observation and a method based on grounded theory. The research process was based on the inductive approach. The area covered by the research study was the city of Szczecin, which is located in the north-western part of Poland and which is the capital city of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. Szczecin is an important transport hub and a centre of maritime economy; moreover, due to its geographical location it plays an important administrative, economic, and transport role in the country [38]. The adopted research process is presented in Figure 2. The first stage of the study was to conduct expert consultations in order to identify the elements that make up urban quality of life. The next step in the adopted research process was to develop a questionnaire based on the current and available knowledge in the area of the impact of construction projects on quality of life. In order to verify any errors and to ensure the correctness of the questionnaire, a survey was conducted in a control group selected on a targeted basis, consisting of 5 researchers working in research centres. This stage took three months and lasted from December 2022 to February 2023.

The next step in the research process was to conduct a standardized survey questionnaire. Survey research collects data from people and is therefore subjective. Survey research uses a selected portion of the population, from which the results can then be generalized back to the entire population [39]. It consisted of two parts, where the first (the demographics part) served to collect the socio-demographic data of the respondents. The second part of the survey consisted of the core, content-related questions. Data collection was carried out using the snowball technique, which consisted of sending the online questionnaire to subsequent participants willing to take part in the survey. Nevertheless, the authors also conducted the surveys offline. All the data collected were integrated to form one database. This stage took five months and lasted from March 2023 to July 2023. The analysis of the collected data did not take into account the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, as it was found that these were insignificant in terms of the research process. The collected quantitative data made it possible to carry out the next stage of the research process based on the grounded theory method.

The grounded theory method is used in scientific research, based on qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. It is used to construct a theory based on the obtained data and then to analyse them using comparative analysis. The results obtained from the conducted research process can contribute, among other things, to the development of knowledge and influence a change in thinking with the aim of initiating changes in a significant area of interest [40].

At the same time, a second type of qualitative research was conducted, which was structured observation. The purpose of conducting these qualitative studies was to assess the impact of projects under construction on various aspects of QoL and to draw objective conclusions from the entire adopted research process.

4.2. Participants

The quantitative research was conducted on a group selected on a targeted basis. The survey was attended by Szczecin inhabitants of working age (residents who are able to work, have the appropriate skills and health conditions and according to Polish standards, are between 18 and 59 years old (women) or 64 years old (men)). At the same time, two groups can be distinguished in the non-working age category: people of pre-working age up to 17 years old, i.e., a group of students, and people who have already ended their professional activity and now constitute a group who are post-working age, i.e., aged over 60 (women) or 65 (men). The characteristic describing people in the non-working age category is the lack of ability to perform work, including legal restrictions and a lack of necessary skills or competences (students), or restrictions resulting from a deterioration of health and changes in the labour market, which may place high demands in the context of technological development (older adults) [41] due to their increased housing needs as well as their family and professional lives. The number of correctly completed questionnaires was n = 210. In 2022, the working age population in Szczecin amounted to 227,971 [41]. The sample size was calculated based on the 2022 data, due to the lack of available data from 2023. Taking into account the fraction size at 0.5, the confidence level at α = 0.85, and the measurement error of 5%, the sample selection was correct.

4.3. Ethics Statement

Formal consent from respondents was not necessary for the use and publication of survey data because the survey was anonymous.

4.4. Grounded Theory Analysis

The collected quantitative data were used to carry out an analysis applying the grounded theory method. This method was developed by B. Glaser and A. Strauss as a qualitative method aimed at creating or developing an explanatory theory connected with the factual area of research, based on quantitative data. This method features a structured research process; however, applying it in individual research areas requires a flexible approach [40].

At the first stage of the grounded theory method, the collected quantitative data were analysed and then used to develop information categories (open coding). The next stage was the axial coding, which made it possible to assign individual codes to respective categories. Having thus prepared the data, it was now possible to apply selective coding and to generate a discursive data-based theory.

4.5. Structured Observation

Qualitative research conducted using the structured observation method covered constructions in progress in the city of Szczecin. These constructions were located in different parts of the city, which is precisely presented in Figure 3. The purpose of the research was to assess the impact of constructions in progress on the following identified QoL areas: economic prosperity, natural environment, social infrastructure, and municipal and housing infrastructure. The factors that were evaluated were selected based on their feasibility for assessment during observation.

The construction sites were selected based on a specific key, which took into account the location within the city areas of Szczecin. The selected facilities were to include both residential and non-residential (commercial) investments and the fact that these projects were under construction.

The impact assessment on each of these areas was made on a scale of 1–5, where 1 means minimal impact, suggesting no noticeable impact of the construction; 3 indicates medium impact, noticeable but not dominant in the context of the given area; 5 means the greatest possible impact, indicating a strong impact of the construction on the given area.

5. Research Results

5.1. Collected Data

The core part of the questionnaire contained eight questions. The first one was Is there a residential or non-residential construction site near your place of residence/work? A total of 122 surveyees (58% of the respondents) gave an affirmative answer. The next question concerned the perceived impact of the construction projects in progress on the respondents’ daily functioning. A 5-grade scale was proposed for the evaluation. According to the survey, construction projects underway had a very large impact on the daily functioning of 61 people (29.1% of the respondents), a medium impact for 70 people (33.3%), a small impact for 20 people (9.50%), and no impact on 59 people (28.10% of the research sample). The data are presented in Figure 4.

In the next question, the respondents were asked to indicate the elements they considered to be affected by residential or non-residential building construction projects. It was a semi-open, multiple choice question. According to the respondents, construction projects in progress to the largest extent contributed to the noise level in the vicinity of the construction site—this issue was indicated 145 times (69.05% of the research sample). Moreover, congestion and delays in transport were often pointed out. In addition to the elements listed for evaluation, the respondents enumerated the following factors under the “Other” category: no car parks, vehicles left by people working/supervising the construction site in car parks belonging to residents, the risk of damaging one’s own car when driving near to the construction site, and garbage left by workers in the vicinity of the construction site. The detailed data are presented in Figure 5.

The subsequent questions concerned the assessment of ongoing residential or non-residential construction projects on the urban quality of life. In the first part of the study, the respondents assessed the economic aspects of QoL (Figure 6). The respondents used the 5-grade scale to answer each question. The first area covered the cost of living. Construction project implementation may be connected with the need to incur additional costs related to, among other things, extra fees for parking vehicles elsewhere, keeping apartments and their surroundings clean, and many a time also the need to find another place to stay for the duration of the construction works. The most popular answer was the option that construction project implementation did not affect the cost of living—this response was given by 64 people, which accounted for 30.5% of the research sample.

Further on, the respondents assessed the impact of residential or non-residential construction projects on access to the labour market. Ongoing construction projects may contribute to hindrances in access to the labour market as a result of a reduction in employment ensuing from decreased business activity in the vicinity of construction sites. It is possible to identify two dominant opinions in this area: no impact, and medium impact. Most people (56 respondents, 26.7% of the research sample) believed that there was no correlation between these factors.

Another aspect subject to assessment was related to the possibility of professional development, as construction projects in progress may temporarily affect the functioning of facilities designated for this purpose. For this element, the impact was assessed by the largest group (66 respondents, 31.4% of the research sample) as non-existent.

The next section assessed the availability of stores in the vicinity of construction sites, which may deteriorate significantly when the construction takes place in or on the building. This is due to the fact that during renovation of a facility it is necessary to suspend its business partially or completely; in addition to this, any necessary protective elements may decrease the visibility of and access to individual shopping facilities. According to 59 respondents (28.1% of the research sample), this impact is large, which means that during any construction works carried out in buildings, the respondents experienced a significantly hindered access to shopping facilities. The second most popular answer was that the analysed impact was medium—this response was chosen by 47 people (22.4% of the research sample).

The last element in the economic prosperity area subject to assessment was the sense of safety during construction project implementation. In this context, safety may be broadly understood as involving the risk of losing one’s job in the event of lay-offs ensuing from a decreased business volume near the construction site, but also personal safety, as construction works may contribute to accidents which in turn may lead to financial losses and a temporary or permanent inability to work. In addition to this, ongoing construction projects may affect the safety of one’s property, e.g., the improper securing of the construction site area can result in theft. According to 53 respondents (25.2% of the research sample), construction projects have a medium impact on safety.

Next, the respondents answered questions in the context of selected elements of the natural environment, which may be affected by ongoing construction works. The respondents used the 5-grade scale to answer each question. Air pollution was the first item to be analysed (Figure 7), as construction projects contribute to increased CO2 and GHG emissions, which is highlighted by all urban environments. According to 72 respondents (34.3% of the research sample), the impact of the construction industry on air pollution is medium and this was the most frequently chosen answer. It seems important that merely 6.67% of the respondents did not feel affected in this regard.

Another issue investigated in the survey was noise pollution, which in the case of renovation and construction works is unavoidable due to the operation of machinery and equipment, and activities carried out by construction teams. This factor was assessed as very palpable by 82 respondents (39% of the research sample). A frequently selected answer was also “4—Yes, I feel a large impact.” Therefore, it is possible to conclude that noise was perceived by the respondents as one of the explicitly onerous effects of construction activities.

The next issue examined here was assessing the impact of construction activities on water and land pollution, which is due to the fact that in the course of construction works some building materials and waste may contaminate the air or nearby water and ground. The respondents (64 people, 30.5% of the research sample) most often rated the impact on this element as medium.

The last factor relating to the natural environment was its safety. The progressive territorial expansion of cities beyond their administrative borders and their exploitation of existing green areas raises concerns about environmental imbalance, which may be manifested by climate deterioration caused by tree felling and a decrease in populations of some animal species as a result of destroying their natural habitats. In the survey, the largest group of the respondents (65 people, 31% of the research sample) claimed that construction of large structures had a medium impact on this aspect.

In the next part of the survey, the respondents assessed the impact exerted by construction project implementation on selected elements of social infrastructure (Figure 8). The respondents used the 5-grade scale to answer each question. The first of the elements to be assessed was public transport. The implementation of projects related to the construction/reconstruction/renovation of residential and commercial buildings indirectly causes disruptions in the functioning of public transportation, as it is necessary to secure the area around the construction site and to put up the required scaffolding, which may hinder access to interchange points and bus stops, making travel less comfortable. In the opinion of the prevailing number of the surveyed inhabitants of Szczecin (56 people, 26.7% of the research sample), construction projects had a medium impact on this factor.

Next, the respondents provided answers regarding access to culture, understood as access to facilities and spaces where artistic events take place. A significant part of the respondents (59 people, 28.1% of the research sample) believed that construction projects in question had no impact on this element.

The surveyees also assessed access to educational institutions. The answers ranged mostly from 1 to 3 (153 people, 72.9% of the research sample), which means that the majority of the respondents felt that construction projects had at the most a medium impact on this area of social life.

The next issue that was subject to assessment related to access to healthcare in the context of the accessibility of facilities such as clinics, hospitals, and outpatient care facilities. Construction projects may lead to limits to their accessibility due to the need to carry out renovation or construction works on their premises. In the opinion of the respondents, the impact of this element could at most be described as medium—such a response (options 1 to 3) was given by 158 respondents who accounted for 75.2% of the research sample.

In the further part of the study, the respondents were asked to indicate how construction projects affected the availability of infrastructure for children and the availability of places to practise sports. In both cases, this impact was assessed as medium by the studied group (60 people—28.6% of the research sample and 65 people—31% of the research sample, respectively).

Among the social factors, construction projects were identified as having a low impact on the availability of infrastructure for animals. The most popular ratings were “Yes, I feel a medium impact” (59 people, 28.1% of the research sample) and “No, I don’t feel affected” (59 people, 28.1% of the research sample). The scores indicating at most a medium impact accounted for 81.4% of the responses collected. This assessment could be due to the limited number of such facilities in Szczecin, or their location (e.g., dog facilities are usually located in parks, therefore a construction site in close proximity to such facilities is rather rare).

In the last but one question, the respondents were asked to assess the impact exerted by construction projects carried out in buildings on Szczecin residents’ QoL in the context of selected elements of the municipal and housing infrastructure (Figure 9). The respondents used the 5-grade scale to answer each question. The first of the studied elements was access to the real estate market. The construction of large structures may contribute to limiting the access to buildings, cause problems in property management processes, and affect the price level. One in three persons participating in the study stated that they perceived a considerable correlation between the examined parameters (71 people, 33.8% of the research sample). Their next most common response was “4-Yes, I feel a large impact.” Based on the data presented, it is possible to conclude that hindered access to the real estate market was perceived by the respondents as a very onerous effect of construction activities.

The respondents also assessed the impact exerted by construction projects related to the renovation and reconstruction of buildings on care and cleanliness of the infrastructure. Unfortunately, ongoing construction works are often connected with significant deterioration of care and cleanliness of the surroundings, which was confirmed by one in three respondents who considered the impact to be large (71 people, 33.8% of the research sample).

Another element for which the impact of residential and commercial building construction projects was assessed was the community. In this case, a community should be understood as a sense of belonging and bonding with other residents. It is a subjective category which is difficult to assess. The factors influencing this include, among others, interpersonal relationships, sharing values and goals with the surroundings, engagement in community life, safety and a friendly environment, a sense of acceptance, and the absence of exclusion [42]. The implementation of construction projects can contribute to influencing some of these factors directly; for example, affecting the safety of the area, negatively impacting the friendliness of the area, limiting the possibility of engagement in community life if buildings are used for organizing local community meetings are excluded from use, and affecting the accessibility of transportation to the area. The influence may also be indirect, such as a relocation related to the inconveniences arising from ongoing work, which may lead to deteriorating relationships and the need to build new ones [43]. Half of the respondents (107 people, 51% of the research sample) considered the analysed impact as large or very large.

The last element assessed in the context of municipal and housing infrastructure was safety understood as the technical condition of the renovated and adjacent infrastructure. Ongoing construction works may carry a risk of damage to existing buildings as a result of vibration, ground collapse and soil subsidence, and other processes, which in turn lead to reduced levels of safety and thus a lowered quality of life. As for the examined feelings of Szczecin residents, almost one in three respondents considered the impact of construction projects on safety as medium (64 people, 30.5% of the research sample).

The question ending the core part of the survey was a semi-open/multiple choice question concerning the respondents’ expectations regarding residential and non-residential building construction projects. The data collected at this research stage are presented in Figure 10.

The respondents mostly argued that the construction projects in question should be implemented faster and that they should be planned and implemented in a rational manner. In the “Other” category of responses, there was a proposal that construction project planning should be carried out in accordance with local development plans and that the nature of the project should fit the neighbourhood’s character (buildings of similar dimensions), while guaranteeing parking spaces for the residents/users.

Based on the analysed research findings, it is possible to conclude that the respondents gave diverse ratings to impacts exerted by construction projects on selected elements making up urban quality of life in the context of residential and commercial buildings. This could ensue from the fact that often the impact of the construction industry is indirect and it is exerted by the general influence on the overall functioning of the individual in the urban environment.

5.2. Data Coding

5.2.1. Open Coding

The first stage in the research process applying an analysis based on grounded theory was open coding. The data collected from the survey were recorded in the form of codes. The coding results are presented in

Table 2. Open coding results.

Code	Question	Assessment
C1	Do you feel an impact of construction project implementation on your daily functioning?	Medium impact
	Could you assess the impact of projects related to the construction, reconstruction, or renovation of residential and non-residential (service or commercial) buildings on the quality of life of Szczecin’s inhabitants in the context of selected elements of economic prosperity:
C2	living costs?	No impact
C3	access to the labour market?	No impact
C4	opportunity for professional development?	No impact
C5	store availability?	Large impact
C6	financial and property safety?	Medium impact
	Could you assess the impact of projects related to the construction, reconstruction, or renovation of residential and non-residential (service or commercial) buildings on the quality of life of Szczecin’s inhabitants in the context of selected elements of natural environment:
C7	air pollution?	Medium impact
C8	noise pollution?	Very large impact
C9	water and land pollution?	Medium impact
C10	environmental safety?	Medium impact
	Could you assess the impact of projects related to the construction, reconstruction, or renovation of residential and non-residential (service or commercial) buildings on the quality of life of Szczecin’s inhabitants in the context of selected elements of social infrastructure:
C11	public transport?	Medium impact
C12	accessibility of culture?	No impact
C13	access to education?	Small impact
C14	access to healthcare?	Medium impact
C15	availability of infrastructure for children?	Medium impact
C16	availability of places to practise sports?	Medium impact
C17	availability of infrastructure for animals?	Medium impact
	Could you assess the impact of projects related to the construction, reconstruction, or renovation of residential and non-residential (service or commercial) buildings on the quality of life of Szczecin’s inhabitants in the context of selected elements of municipal and housing infrastructure:
C18	access to the real estate market?	Very large impact
C19	care and cleanliness?	Large impact
C20	the community?	Large impact
C21	infrastructure safety?	Medium impact

.

All the questions have been encoded. The answers most frequently chosen by the respondents were assigned individual codes (C1–C21). Thus, the assigned codes were then used at the next stage of the grounded theory research process—axial coding.

5.2.2. Axial Coding

In the next stage, the code categories were defined, which were based on the ratings assigned by the respondents. Next, the responses were grouped (see Table 2) according to the strength of the impact exerted by construction projects on selected elements. The axial coding results are presented in

Table 3. Axial coding results.

Category of Code	Code
Construction project implementation has no impact on the element.	C2; C3; C4; C12
Construction project implementation has a small impact on the element.	C13
Construction project implementation has a medium impact on the element.	C1; C6; C7; C9; C10; C11; C14; C15; C16; C17; C21
Construction project implementation has a large impact on the element.	C5; C19; C20
Construction project implementation has a very large impact on the element.	C8; C18

.

The most frequently chosen rating of the perceived impact on selected areas was ‘medium’. In the context of the four elements examined, the impact was to a large extent assessed as non-existent. A weak impact was assigned to only one element. The respondents reported the large or very large impact of projects related to the construction, reconstruction, or renovation of residential and non-residential (service or trade) buildings in relation to five areas of urban quality of life.

The responses encoded as C14 and C17 were classified as medium impact in the analysis, even though they obtained the same (the highest) number of selections also for the “1-No, I don’t feel affected” option. This approach was dictated by the potential negative impact on selected elements of urban quality of life.

The results of the research based on the grounded theory make it possible to conclude that the implementation of construction projects related to the construction/reconstruction/renovation of residential and non-residential (commercial) buildings exerts an impact on quality of life of city residents, thus contributing to a deterioration of urban quality of life (Figure 11). The overall rating of the impact exerted by construction projects was assessed to be on a medium level. In relation to the studied areas, the implementation of building construction projects has the greatest impact on noise pollution and access to the real estate market. A large impact was also identified in the area of availability of stores, care and cleanliness of the urban space, and in the context of a social community. Thus, these are the areas which require the greatest attention at the stage of planning and implementing any construction project.

5.3. Structured Observation

Qualitative studies were conducted to assess the impact of projects under construction on various aspects of QoL. The results of the observations are presented in

Table 4. Assessment of the impact of construction during implementation on specific QoL aspects in the context of the analysed construction sites in Szczecin (their location in Figure 3).

Type of Factor	Factor	Selected Construction Sites
		“Heyki City” (Location No. 1)	“Ornament” (Location No. 2)	Public swimming pool (Location No. 3)	Specialist public clinic (Location No. 4)	PGW WP RZGW Szczecin (Location No. 5)
		Rating (1–5)
Economic prosperity	Increased cost of living	2	3	2	2	4
	Decreased business activity	3	5	3	3	2
	Decreased visibility of and access to different facilities	3	4	4	5	2
Natural environment	Environmental pollution	5	5	3	3	4
	Noise pollution	5	5	4	4	4
Social infrastructure	Hindering access to public transportation	1	4	1	1	2
	Difficulty accessing institutions, facilities, and infrastructure	4	2	5	5	2
Municipal and housing infrastructure	Problems in property management processes	3	3	2	2	2
	Housing price level	5	3	2	2	3
	Care and cleanliness of the surroundings	4	4	4	3	5
	Decreasing sense of community	2	2	5	3	2

below.

The observation allowed us to state that the location of the construction and the nature of the work carried out at the time of observation largely determine the assessment of individual parameters. The results of the observations indicate that the sites under construction have the greatest impact on the noise level (including noise related to transport and direct works). There was a large impact on environmental pollution and the care and cleanliness of the surroundings (despite actions taken in nearby areas, pollution related to works and construction materials was noticed). The medium–large impact of the construction works being carried out was also noted on the availability and visibility of different facilities and the difficulty of accessing institutions, facilities, and infrastructure.

6. Discussion

Construction projects aimed at extending and upgrading buildings in urban areas constitute a strong determinant of development in contemporary cities. Over recent years, construction activities have been increasingly addressed in the context of their impacts on urban communities. This issue is all the more important, as recent decades have seen intensive developments in the area of the construction/reconstruction and modernization of residential and commercial buildings due to the influx of people from suburban and rural areas, leading to the need to provide access to a broad selection of goods and services (discount stores, shopping malls, markets, and a wide range of service outlets). Another long-term factor imposing the need to implement construction projects is increased public awareness of the role of living conditions (residents’ comfort and safety) in urban quality of life. Although construction activities carried out in order to erect large structures are supposed, as a rule, to bring social benefits, their impact on the environment can be perceived as onerous.

Our research shows that construction projects in cities during the implementation stage may contribute to the deterioration of quality of life in the city. The study is limited to the implementation of projects involving the construction/reconstruction/renovation of residential and non-residential (commercial) buildings. The research results indicate that the implementation of the indicated projects has the greatest impact on noise pollution and access to the real estate market. Noise pollution is a significant environmental problem in cities and is mainly determined by road vehicle traffic [44]. According to the EEA Report, the number of people exposed to road traffic noise significantly exceeds the number of people exposed to noise from other sources, including railways, aircraft, and industry. It is also indicated that at least 20% of the population is exposed to high levels of road traffic noise during the day–evening–night period and 15% during the night period. It is estimated that these values will increase [45]. M. Mir et al. studied the impact of construction noise on human health. This research focused on the effects of noise conditions on physiological responses. The studies conducted indicate that people experiencing construction noise in the first 30 s have an increased respiratory rate, and each source of construction noise indicated in the study contributes to the standard deviation of normal beat intervals [46]. Other studies indicate that the incidence of deafness increases with long-term exposure to sound pressure levels higher than L_A 75–85 dB [47]. The research presented by M. Erfanian et al. indicates that scientists from the areas of acoustics, environmental psychology, and auditory neuroscience have demonstrated the adverse effects of noise or negative sounds on well-being in order to improve modern standards of living. In this aspect, evidence indicates that positively perceived sounds (e.g., from the natural environment) can be associated with a high quality of life, which translates into better mental and physical health [48].

The above-mentioned consequences resulting from exposure to noise pollution in cities also concern construction projects, and there is a requirement to take steps to prevent them, or to some extent limit them. Going into details of the areas that can be influenced by reducing noise emission in cities, the first step is to limit the sources, including the impact on road traffic and its flows, restrictions on the entry of heavy goods vehicles into the city, and others. Another element is measures at the path, including environmental measures (e.g., noise barriers and building insulation). In addition, it is also worth implementing changes in education and communication (in particular regarding sustainable construction and the promotion of sustainable mobility) and urban planning and infrastructure changes [45].

The second, equally burdensome effect of building construction/reconstruction and modernization noise may be difficult access to the real estate market. This factor was selected by respondents from the conducted surveys. This situation may result from the lack of an effective tool for modelling and monitoring the relationships between the given aspects by decision makers. An innovation in this area was proposed by Anna Ostańska, who created the PEARS model (People, Environment, Action, Resources, Society), which allows for a holistic approach to this issue (Figure 12) [49].

This model contains five aspects in relation to which the issue of the impact of construction investments on the real estate market can be considered: People (the community involved in the operation of the facilities), Environment (the area covered by modernization, including renovated buildings), Action (actions aimed at maintaining the infrastructure of the estates in good condition), Resources (the means to implement a specific range of construction activities), and Society (a social factor that takes into account the opinions of residents, including their concerns about the temporary deterioration of the housing situation and a decrease in the attractiveness of the property) [49]. The analysis of the real estate market in Szczecin conducted by the authors of this article showed that the residents’ concerns were justified. Properties that are undergoing necessary modernization or expansion become less attractive to potential buyers or tenants. This dependence could be explained by a concern about the prolonged duration of construction works, which may generate, among other things, the above-mentioned noise, an increase in the purchase or rental price, as well as a delay in the possible occupation of the premises. Another reason that access to the real estate market is made difficult is developers’ price speculations. With this development, and therefore the densification of housing estates, including retail and service outlets, the value of the offered premises “under construction” increases, which narrows the perspectives of potential buyers, as they can afford an apartment with a smaller area in relation to the initial values at the booking stage. The approach constructed in this way allows us to conclude that the complexity of problems related to planning the revitalization of housing estates, in addition to providing appropriate material resources, requires social support based on expanding investment activities to include public opinions.

There are some limitations to this study. As noted in the methodology section, the response rate from the quantitative studies was representative and the conclusions present the opinion of the entire population for the research area. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that a larger number of people (not the minimum sample) could have assured the researchers of more precise conclusions. Additionally, it seems important to draw attention to the limitations resulting from the selection of the research method, the questionnaire, and these include primarily the lack of the possibility to explain questions (because of the online form of conducting research), the limitation to the selected dimensions by the authors of the study, and that there is no possibility to develop answers by using closed-ended questions.

Structured observation research also has a number of limitations. These observations are planned in advance and are based on a predetermined set of observational categories and criteria. The way in which the researcher interprets the data can introduce subjectivity into the results. Although structured observation aims to minimize subjectivity, it can be difficult to interpret, and the choice of the date of the study or the participant’s participation in the study may distort the results of the observations.

The authors see the need to deepen the parameters studied, which in the research process were indicated as having the greatest negative impact on quality of life. Therefore, the authors propose checking individual parameters using measuring devices. In the dimension of quantitative research, it seems reasonable to expand the research sample in continuing the discussed topic.

7. Conclusions

Despite the fact that the issue of urban quality of life is increasingly addressed, it is possible to note that researchers approach the impact of the construction industry mainly in terms of sustainable natural environment, and not in terms of citizens. In the opinion of the authors of this article, such an approach is not sufficient, as construction activities affect the functioning of the environment in a wider spectrum, especially when they are carried out in an urban environment.

The study revealed the following findings:

Impact on quality of life in the city: Construction activities related to the construction, reconstruction, and renovation of large structures have a significant impact on the well-being of residents. However, the intensity of this impact varies across the studied aspects. In the case of half of the areas studied in quantitative studies, respondents assessed the impact of construction activities on their daily functioning as medium (financial and property security, air pollution, water and land pollution, environmental safety, public transport, access to healthcare, availability of infrastructure for children, availability of places for sports, availability of infrastructure for animals, and infrastructure safety).

Respondents’ perception: there was no significant effect of the gender, age, or education of the respondents on the answers given to the questions asked in quantitative studies.

Areas with high and very high impacts: In the grounded method studies, the most significant impacts were observed in the following areas: noise pollution, access to the real estate market, availability of stores, care and cleanliness of urban spaces, and social communities. These should become a priority for local authorities and companies involved in construction projects, during both their planning and their implementation.

Medium impact areas: in half of the areas surveyed, respondents rated the impact of construction activities as medium, particularly in the following aspects: financial and property security, air and water pollution, environmental safety, public transport, access to healthcare, availability of infrastructure for children, availability of sports facilities, infrastructure for animals, and infrastructure safety.

The results of the observations were consistent with the findings of quantitative research regarding the impact of construction on noise emissions, the care and cleanliness of the surroundings, and access to different facilities. However, survey respondents additionally indicated access to the real estate market as one of the most significantly affected factors, which was not reflected in the observational findings. This discrepancy may be related to the respondents’ individual experiences and subjective assessments. A similar explanation applies to the differences in the aspect of the decreasing sense of community, which was rated as large by the respondents. Additionally, respondents assessed the impact on environmental pollution as medium, possibly due to the less noticeable short-term effects.

In terms of proposals for solutions that reduce the negative impact of construction projects on the quality of life of city residents, and to enhance urban quality of life, the following measures are recommended:

The rational planning of works (mitigating the risk of the significant deterioration of the function of renovated buildings).

• Adapting work schedules to social needs (including the preparation of a list of critical points/stages that are particularly onerous for residents, and dividing the works into stages).
• Providing residents with uninterrupted access to goods and services (by designating replacement premises for commercial purposes).
• Project planning that takes into account seasonal fluctuations in the use of facilities (when restrictions resulting from the works are the least troublesome for residents).
• Applying the non-cost (quality) criterion in tenders and permit acquisition processes (MEAT) [50,51].
• Introducing Construction Consolidation Centres to address transportation issues for supply purposes.
• Utilizing Electric Trucks to reduce CO2 emissions and noise.
• Implementing Building Information Modelling (BIM) and ERP systems to improve design, planning, execution, and supply processes.
• Collaborating more broadly with stakeholders to reduce negative impacts and adopt Construction Logistics Scenarios [52].
• Proposed Local Management System: A local management system for managing freight delivery routes in the Szczecin agglomeration was proposed. In this respect, two concepts can be distinguished: SUMP and SULP. SUMP includes sustainable urban mobility plans taking into account local conditions, planning practices, and institutional structures, but they typically focus on passenger flow solutions. The SULP concept includes UFT, which is most influenced by retail, express, courier, and post, hotel, restaurant, and catering (HoReCa), construction, and waste management. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the developed SULP concepts do not always cover all the above categories. The construction industry is often omitted in this respect. Therefore, the authors point out in particular the need to adapt the current and required concepts for cities taking into account the important areas of their functioning [53,54,55]. Such a solution would allow some delivery vehicles to be removed from the city areas covered by construction and reconstruction during peak traffic hours, which would reduce traffic congestion and noise. Fewer trucks on urban roads can also reduce the risk of road accidents and improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. Contemporary trends in construction, such as modular construction or recycling demolition waste, can also serve as responses to existing problems.
• Modular construction offers significant advantages compared with traditional construction, including shorter project completion times, higher productivity, cost efficiency, safety, and environmental friendliness [56,57].
• Proper waste management and the use of on-site recycling and segregation at source can impact the amount of transportation required for waste disposal and the level of vehicle loading, thereby reducing the negative effects of transportation activities in cities [58].

The proposed alternatives to improve the organization of work around the construction site may bring numerous benefits to the quality of life of residents by reducing noise, pollution, and traffic jams, improving road safety and the availability of public facilities.

The literature on the subject and the unstructured observation carried out by the authors indicate that other European cities face similar problems related to the impact of construction projects on the quality of life of residents. Therefore, the authors assume that the research results can be extrapolated to other European cities with similar characteristics.

While noise pollution and real estate market accessibility are noted as high-impact factors, the mechanisms by which noise affects mental health or the economic chain reactions resulting from restricted access to real estate markets should be explored in greater depth. The authors emphasize the need to continue this research, which in the next stage will focus on investigating the causes of significant nuisance aspects of construction activities, the correlation between the perception of the respondents and their affiliation with selected demographic categories (gender, age, and education), but also on assessing the impact of implementing specific solutions. In addition to this, good practices and their impacts on the residents’ quality of life should be identified, and measures should be taken to raise the awareness of entrepreneurs in this respect.

The greatest impact is exerted on the natural environment, economic prosperity, and municipal and housing infrastructure dimensions of QoL.

While noise pollution and real estate market accessibility are noted as high-impact factors, the mechanisms by which noise affects mental health or the economic chain reactions resulting from restricted access to real estate markets should be explored in greater depth.

This indicates the need to continue research in these areas. It seems reasonable to deepen the study of parameters within these dimensions using other research methods, such as noise level measurements, air quality assessments, or statistical studies–correlation between the perception of the respondents and their affiliation with selected demographic categories (gender, age, and education).