How the Built Environment Shapes Spatial Bridging Ties and Social Capital

Abstract

The study examined spatial bridging ties that develop between members of a subdivision, and the relationship of such ties to different aspects of the built environment. We suggest that spatial bridging ties are important to the development of social capital within a community, as they help to overcome a tendency for ties to be spatially proximate (the propinquity effect). Using ego-based network data, we examined the formation of spatial bridging ties within a new urbanist subdivision (NUS) and also identified specific design features of the NUS that were associated with such ties. We found an association between spatial bridging ties and the use of mixed-use amenities, suggesting that mixed-use amenities (e.g., local shops and restaurants) may be facilitating spatial bridging ties between residents in NUS communities. The results also provide some evidence of a positive relationship between spatial bridging ties and social capital.

The Anatomy of Health-Supportive Neighborhoods: A Multilevel Analysis of Built Environment, Perceived Disorder, Social Interaction and Mental Health in Beijing

“…Social interaction is another aspect that links neighborhood built environments with mental health. A great deal of research has shown that social interaction in living environments, especially casual interactions between neighbors, generates considerable psychological benefits [44][45][46]. From a cognitive perspective, informal social contacts help residents build solid social ties with community members.…”

“…On the other hand, a car-supportive environment discourages neighbors from establishing social relations and leads to social isolation. Cabrera and Najarian (2015) discovered that adults living near main roads were disturbed by the heavy traffic volume and were less likely to know their neighbors [44]. The presence of public parking lots is also related to declining perceptions of neighborhood friendliness [52], whereas proximity to public transit is conducive to casual connections with neighbors [53].…”

Quality of the Built Environment from the Infrastructure of Social Interest Housing Developments

“…However, both examined locations require houses with balconies closer to streets; placement of parking spaces, clearing sidewalks for walking; and the implementation of mixed housings (commercial and residential) would eventually consolidate meeting points, enabling interaction between the inhabitants of the settlements. The creation of housing development projects needs to be designed wisely, linking through alternatives ways the central areas of the built environment, designing together, considering urban growth rates, with innovative factors and architectural sustainability of the environmental [5,11,27].…”

“…This lack of integration between urban neighborhoods needs to be reconsidered with layout studies. Previous layout studies can achieve solutions to modify the current situation of many Brazilian cities, including enhanced social interaction [5,27]. In this case, the built environment would require to be rebuilt or implemented with appropriate links of their neighborhoods to the city center, hence projecting the urban growth rates with innovation factors of architectural sustainability of the environment [5,11,27].…”

The Influence of Urbanism and Information Consumption on Political Dimensions of Social Capital: Exploratory Study of the Localities Adjacent to the Core City from Brașov Metropolitan Area, Romania

“…The relation between spatial arrangements and social capital has been thoroughly studied in the literature [18][19][20][21], as well as the relation between social capital and the use of specific information means [22][23][24][25][26][27]. However, there are no studies from post-communist countries, including integrated analyses of the effects of spatial arrangements, information consumption, and political dimensions of social capital.…”