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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Rachel M. Bishop, BSW¹, Curtis J. VanderWaal, MSW, PhD¹, Karen E. Stockton-Chilson, MSW, PhD¹, Duane C. McBride, PhD², and Mark D. Boward, MA³. (1) Department of Social Work, Andrews University, 8408 Westwood, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI 49104, 269.471.3557, bishopr@andrews.edu, (2) Behavioral Science Department, Andrews University, Nethery Hall #123E, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI 49104, (3) Insitute for Prevention of Addictions, Andrews University, 8408 Westwood, Berrien Springs, MI 49104

Since the end of World War II, suburban sprawl has generally resulted in the development of single-use, car-based neighborhoods rather than mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods. Some researchers have suggested that such suburban neighborhoods are less walkable, thereby discouraging interactions between neighbors, and thus reducing neighborhood-based social capital. Putnam defines social capital as the networks, norms and trust that facilitate cooperation for mutual benefit. In contrast, mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods are theorized to naturally support the creation of social capital since the population density and proximity to neighborhood services make neighbors more likely to intentionally and unintentionally interact with each other. In this analysis we conducted telephone surveys in two Chicago, Illinois neighborhoods – Bucktown (N=361), a mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented neighborhood with New Urbanist elements, and Schaumburg (N=346), a single-use, car-based neighborhood. Initial findings indicate that Bucktown residents have significantly more friends within a 5 to 10 minute walk from their residence than residents in Schaumburg (p <.001). Similarly, Bucktown residents were significantly more likely to spend a social evening with someone in their neighborhood than Schaumburg residents (p <.0001). In contrast, residents in Schaumburg were more likely than Bucktown residents to report being willing to help their neighbors (p <.05). After recognizing the incongruence of this finding, further analysis will control for ethnicity, age, income, education, and length of time in residence. Community design may influence social capital through the promotion of neighborly interaction, trust and knowledge of neighbors. We will discuss the implications of these findings for promoting neighborhood-based social capital.

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