scholarly journals Reconstituting the Urban Commons: Public Space, Social Capital and the Project of Urbanism

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Brain
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Collective Efficacy ◽  
Urban Design ◽  
Urban Form ◽  
Democratic Governance ◽  
Urban And Regional Planning ◽  
The Social ◽  
Urban Commons ◽  
Urban Places

This article outlines a framework for connecting design-oriented research on accommodating and encouraging social interaction in public space with investigation of broader questions regarding civic engagement, social justice and democratic governance. How can we define the “kind of problem a city is” (Jacobs, 1961), simultaneously attending to the social processes at stake in urban places, the spatial ordering of urban form and the construction of the forms of agency that enable us to make better places on purpose? How can empirical research be connected more systematically to theories of democratic governance, with clear implications for urban design, urban and regional planning as professional practice? This framework connects three distinct theoretical moves: (1) understanding the sociological implications of public space as an urban commons, (2) connecting the making of public space to research on social capital and collective efficacy, and (3) understanding recent tendencies in the discipline of urban design in terms of the social construction of a “program of action” (Latour, 1992) at the heart of the professional practices relevant to the built environment.

scholarly journals The Virtual Public Thing: de-re-territorialisations of public space through shopping in Auckland’s urban space

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manfredo Manfredini ◽  
Ross Jenner
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Urban Design ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Social Relationship ◽  
Urban Public Space ◽  
De Re ◽  
Digital Era ◽  
Shopping Centres ◽  
Important Challenge ◽  
Urban Places

New recombinant factors emerging in urban public space counteract the increasing disjunction of urban places subject to commodification and privatisation. In low-density cities within neoliberal political frameworks, these factors have developed peculiar places of social relationship: the integrated urban enclosures devoted to lifestyle consumption that are the latest evolution of shopping centres. These enclosures are heterotopic places mobilised by spectacle that quickly subsume the fundamental changes occurring in the relations between architecture and associative life in our contemporary post-consumerist, digital era. The paper discusses a comparative analysis of the new mall typology recently introduced into Auckland, exploring the important challenge they pose to architecture and urban design in defining the future of public space.

scholarly journals Wpływ kapitału społecznego mieszkańców na kształtowanie przestrzeni wspólnych w środowisku mieszkaniowym

2020 ◽  
pp. 42-54
Author(s):  
Anna Cudny
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Development Strategy ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
National Development ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Aesthetic Quality ◽  
The Social ◽  
The City

Influence of social capital of inhabitants on shaping common spaces in a housing environment The last two decades of the century have brought unusually many changes in the built environment. These include not only changes directly related to the emergence of a new urban fabric, but also changes in social attitudes towards common spaces located in residential areas. The built environment has never been evaluated so strongly. This assessment translates not only into the everyday outdoor activities of residents (necessary, optional and social activities), but also to economic projects (purchase, sale and rental of real estate). At the same time, the city ceases to be, as it has been so far, mainly subjected to criticism, and the residents are gradually changing their demanding attitude concerning the development of space to participate in the process of its creation. Society wants to have a real impact on urban space, especially on the space closest to them. Thus, the right to the city is no longer a privilege or a duty, but it becomes a need. Trying to meet this need results in a phenomenon which we can increasingly observe in Poland, and which we have been witnessing abroad for many years: activities in public space are changing into activities for public space. They include the transformation of common spaces related to the place of residence—improving their aesthetic quality, functional changes, modernization of development elements. Observing numerous examples of public participation in shaping public spaces, it was noticed that the initiation, course and effects of activities largely depend on the social capital of the group undertaking said activity. Accordingly, there is a need for research on the mutual relation between the level of social capital and the issue of shaping and managing public space with the participation of local communities, which will be the main topic of the paper. To investigate the above-mentioned issue, qualitative research methods were used in relation to the relationship: site visit, non-participant observation and focus interviews. This contributed to a comparative study of three selected Warsaw case studies. They were analysed in terms of meeting the qualitative criteria selected for the study. These criteria have been indicated on the basis of the Social Capital Development Strategy 2020, which is one of the parts of the Medium-Term National Development Strategy. The result of the analyses is an indication of derived factors from within the group of space users and external factors that have a positive and negative impact on initiating, carrying out and maintaining the effects of changes in common spaces developed with the participation of local communities in Polish conditions. The conclusions can be used to improve future participation processes related to urban space - both by non-professionals participating in them, as well as experts - architects and town planners.

scholarly journals Social Capital Dimensions are Differentially Associated with COVID-19 Vaccinations, Masks, and Physical Distancing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibtihal Ferwana ◽  
Lav R. Varshney
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Collective Efficacy ◽  
Residential Mobility ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Social ◽  
Family Unity

Background Social capital has been associated with health outcomes in communities and can explain variations in different geographic localities. Social capital has also been associated with behaviors that promote better health and reduce the impacts of diseases. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing, face masking, and vaccination have all been essential in controlling contagion. These behaviors have not been uniformly adopted by communities in the United States. Using different facets of social capital to explain the differences in public behaviors among communities during pandemics is lacking. Objective This study examines the relationship among public health behavior, vaccination, face masking, and physical distancing during COVID-19 pandemic and social capital indices in counties in the United States. Methods We used publicly available vaccination data as of June 2021, face masking data in July 2020, and mobility data from mobile phones movements from the end of March 2020. Then, correlation analysis was conducted with county-level social capital index and its subindices (family unity, community health, institutional health, and collective efficacy) that were obtained from the Social Capital Project by the United States Senate. Results We found the social capital index and its subindices differentially correlate with different public health behaviors. Vaccination is associated with institutional health: positively with fully vaccinated population and negatively with vaccination hesitancy. Also, wearing masks negatively associates with community health, whereases reduced mobility associates with better community health. Further, residential mobility positively associates with family unity. By comparing correlation coefficients, we find that social capital and its subindices have largest effect sizes on vaccination and residential mobility. Conclusion Our results show that different facets of social capital are significantly associated with adoption of protective behaviors, e.g., social distancing, face masking, and vaccination. As such, our results suggest that differential facets of social capital imply a Swiss cheese model of pandemic control planning where, e.g., institutional health and community health, provide partially overlapping behavioral benefits.

scholarly journals Social capital dimensions are differentially associated with COVID-19 vaccinations, masks, and physical distancing

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0260818
Author(s):  
Ibtihal Ferwana ◽  
Lav R. Varshney
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Collective Efficacy ◽  
Residential Mobility ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Social ◽  
Family Unity

Background Social capital has been associated with health outcomes in communities and can explain variations in different geographic localities. Social capital has also been associated with behaviors that promote better health and reduce the impacts of diseases. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing, face masking, and vaccination have all been essential in controlling contagion. These behaviors have not been uniformly adopted by communities in the United States. Using different facets of social capital to explain the differences in public behaviors among communities during pandemics is lacking. Objective This study examines the relationship among public health behavior—vaccination, face masking, and physical distancing—during COVID-19 pandemic and social capital indices in counties in the United States. Methods We used publicly available vaccination data as of June 2021, face masking data in July 2020, and mobility data from mobile phones movements from the end of March 2020. Then, correlation analysis was conducted with county-level social capital index and its subindices (family unity, community health, institutional health, and collective efficacy) that were obtained from the Social Capital Project by the United States Senate. Results We found the social capital index and its subindices differentially correlate with different public health behaviors. Vaccination is associated with institutional health: positively with fully vaccinated population and negatively with vaccination hesitancy. Also, wearing masks negatively associates with community health, whereases reduced mobility associates with better community health. Further, residential mobility positively associates with family unity. By comparing correlation coefficients, we find that social capital and its subindices have largest effect sizes on vaccination and residential mobility. Conclusion Our results show that different facets of social capital are significantly associated with adoption of protective behaviors, e.g., social distancing, face masking, and vaccination. As such, our results suggest that differential facets of social capital imply a Swiss cheese model of pandemic control planning where, e.g., institutional health and community health, provide partially overlapping behavioral benefits.

scholarly journals Inhabiting the Shifting Edge: Increasing the Adaptive Capacity of Coastal Sand Spit Communities in a Changing Climate

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sibyl Ella May Bloomfield
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Adaptive Capacity ◽  
Urban Design ◽  
Capital Investment ◽  
Landscape Architecture ◽  
Development Trend ◽  
Coastal Development ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
The Social ◽  
Sand Spit

<p>This masters thesis uses urban design and landscape architecture to investigate the role of open spaces in increasing the adaptive capacity of New Zealand's sand spit communities in the face of climate related change. In order to respond to potential climate related change, the design of open spaces should acknowledge the crucial role that natural processes and ecosystems play in protecting coastal environments. Urban design and landscape architecture have the potential to encourage interaction at the interface of the social and ecological systems within these coastal communities. The design of public open space can encourage more sensitive development patterns and increase the communities' awareness of coastal processes. These spaces can become the focus of social capital building while ensuring the environment has the capacity to absorb potential climate related changes. This research focuses on three sand spit resort communities on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. Through a series of design studies, a range of strategies are proposed and tested in response to the potential impacts of climate change and sea level rise. The exclusive and expensive coastal development trend is augmented to provide for all potential beach users. Diversification in both the users, and types of use, in these coastal areas will increase the social capital investment and awareness, further building the adaptive capacity of the spit system.</p>

Creating Neighbourhood Networks: Why the Alvalade Landscape Matters to Housing

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-53
Author(s):  
Romana Xerez
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Urban Design ◽  
Social Housing ◽  
Urban Policy ◽  
Network Resources ◽  
Social Mix ◽  
The Social ◽  
Community Ties ◽  
Development Failure

How does social capital matter to the creation of neighbourhood networks in cities? Social housing in Portugal is some times viewed as a single architectural and building environment development failure. This article discusses a relevant Portuguese urban planning landscape and aims to contribute to the discussion of one of its main purpose – the social housing experiment. The author discusses the case of this landscape as urban policy-making and evaluates its implementation and relevance. She hypothesizes that “neighbourhood units” have become a relevant case in the context of neighbourhood planning and housing social-mix in Lisbon. Firstly, she uses theoretical arguments and findings to discuss an urban experiment - Alvalade Landscape. Secondly, the paper analyses relevant data that demonstrates its links to the housing policies thus enriching the urban design. The article offers evidence from the Alvalade Landscape case study in Lisbon of theoretical and empirical community ties in the 1940s. Thirdly, the paper identifies some elements such as community units, social mix, sidewalks, and that have an impact on neighbourhood design as well as people’s lives. The findings show that supportive neighbour ties provide important network resources (social capital) concerning daily life, illness, support or financial aid. Finally, the paper suggests the relevance that social neighbourhood community has in housing programs and policies.

Traditional European Squares in Contemporary Urbanism: Dubrovnik's Medieval Squares

2009 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 57-73
Author(s):  
Tigran Haas
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Urban Design ◽  
Sense Of Place ◽  
Town Planning ◽  
Public Realm ◽  
Social Spaces ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Square ◽  
Urban Places

Buildings alone do not matter, it is only the ensemble of streets, squares, and buildings and the way they fit together that comprises the true principles of good urbanism and place making. One of the main rules of good urban design is the quality of the public space. This paper analyzes the importance of creating & maintaining a true public square in contemporary urban condition, as one of the built environments' pillars for sustaining social and cultural identity. Criticism has been posed towards the (neo) romanticizing the importance of European squares (as some critics would call it “Postcard Squares”) in everyday life and contemporary town planning. Movements such as New Urbanism, which promote good urban design have not put squares that high on their urban design agendas. Also the usage of the historic European city's public realm model - the square - as the important ingredient for all urban places has not been forthcoming. To investigate this phenomena, and facilitate the discourse, The Square of the St. Blaise Church (Luza Square) and the Gunduliceva Poljana Square in the Old City of Dubrovnik, are analyzed and reflected upon through various data collection, theory reflections and urban design evaluation methods, such as Garham's Sense of Place Typology-Taxonomy. If cities have livable and vibrant social spaces, do residents tend to have a stronger sense of community and sense of place? If such places are lacking, does the opposite happen?. This paper seeks out to answer these questions. Finally the paper also looks at how the phenomenon of creating good social spaces through creating ‘third places’ is achieved and confirmed in the squares of Dubrovnik.

Reexamining Social Class Differences in the Availability and the Educational Utility of Parental Social Capital

2008 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert K. Ream ◽  
Gregory J. Palardy
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Class ◽  
Collective Efficacy ◽  
Social Exchange ◽  
Educational Inequality ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Class Differences ◽  
The Social ◽  
Class Status

Emergent ethnographic research disentangles “social capital” from other components of social class (e.g., material and human capital) to show how class-stratified parental social networks exacerbate educational inequality among schoolchildren. The authors build upon this research by using survey data to reexamine whether certain forms of parental social capital create educational advantages for socioeconomically privileged students vis-à-vis their less economically fortunate peers. By drawing a distinction between the availability of social capital and its convertibility, the authors find that whereas larger stocks of parental social capital accompany higher rungs on the social class ladder, its educational utility is less clearly associated with class status. A possible exception to this pattern pertains to the educational utility of middle-class parents’ ideas about the collective efficacy of influencing school policies and practices. At issue is whether a more inclusive understanding of the material and sociological reasons for educational inequality can spur educationally useful social exchange among parents across social class boundaries.

Sociocultural Sustainability and the Formation of Social Capital from Community-based Tourism

2020 ◽  
pp. 004728752093367
Author(s):  
Yang Zhang ◽  
Yu Xiong ◽  
Timothy J. Lee ◽  
Min Ye ◽  
Robin Nunkoo
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Collective Efficacy ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Social Impacts ◽  
Host Community ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Resident Perceptions ◽  
The Social ◽  
Community Belonging ◽  
Tourism Community

Favorable resident perceptions of the development of social capital resulting from hosting community-based tourism is an important issue for the Chinese authorities. This study aimed to develop and test a multidimensional scale to evaluate the perceived social impacts from tourism on social capital from sustainable community-based tourism in China. A questionnaire was distributed to host community residents (430) in Fanhe village, Guangdong Province. Analysis from this survey resulted in the development of a six-factor model incorporating 20 items in the six groups. This allowed the researchers to assess perceived social impacts on social capital: covering collective efficacy, community belonging, traditional social regulations, community cohesion, social networking, and community competence. The study reveals the multidimensional nature of perceived tourism social impacts on social capital in the Chinese tourism community and contributes to a better understanding of how residents view the social capital associated with community-based tourism as part of sustainable development.

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