Research On Urban Residential Location Choice

Location is of great significance in the process of real estate development. With the rapid development of China's society and economy, reform has been carried on in the residential distribution system. In this context, the residential location choice of residents has changed a lot, from the perennial passive acceptance to a positive choosing. The study of residential location choice, may provide scientific basis to all the relevant parties for a rational planning of urban living space and may provide advice which can promote the healthy growth of the residential market. Thus, this study appropriately meets the needs of the time.In reference of some basic residential location theories brought up by foreign scholars such as the "trade off theory", "filter theory" and "behavioral geography theory", and with the reality of our country's social and economic development combined, this study has made a comprehensive explanation of the definition, content and features of location. It is proposed that residents select the location of their housing just according to the rule of location selecting. The location factors which are affecting residential location choice include natural environment, social environment, transportation condition and infrastructure situation. On this basis, with the theory of cost and benefit involved, this paper analyzed the influence of residential location on residents both from a cost-oriented view and a benefit-oriented view. In this paper, the principles and procedures of Data Envelopment Analysis are introduced. For acquiring a comprehensive understanding of residential location choice and scientifically evaluating the influence of residential location, integrating theoretical analysis, the cost indicators and benefit indicators is determined, and a mathematical model is established to evaluate the cost and benefit of residents caused by residential location. With Harbin residents as research object, and the residential on sale as the carrier of location, the author used mathematical model to carry out empirical analysis on residential location choice in Harbin. The location preference of the residents in that region was discovered and explained.In this study, a method which combined theoretical analysis and empirical research is applied. With many location theories used to analyze residential location choice, this paper aims at revealing the general laws of residential location choice. The outcome of the study is of practical significance for the public, residential developers and city planners.