Applying Sen's Capabilities Framework to Neighborhoods: Using Local Asset Maps to Deepen Our Understanding of Well-being

Abstract

This paper examines how an approach resembling Sen's capabilities framework is being applied by low-income neighborhoods in efforts to strengthen community and improve quality of life for residents. It will begin with a brief review of Sen's capabilities framework, followed by a detailed description of neighborhood resource surveys. A final section will bring the two ideas together and will explain how the work being done in neighborhoods can be viewed as an extension of Sen's approach, deepening our understanding of well-being.