Quantifying the role of social capital for enhancing urban resilience against climate crisis: Empirical evidence from formal and informal settlements of Pakistan

Abstract

The impacts of climate change and disasters have increased in recent years. Social capital plays a significant role in enhancing community resilience through social networking, information exchange, and resource sharing. This study quantifies the concept of social capital by proposing a social capital index (SCI). The methodology was operationalized and tested in the formal and informal settlements of Islamabad and Rawalpindi in Pakistan. Yamane's sampling method was used to calculate the required sample size of 400 and collected via questionnaire survey. The indicators were chosen through rigorous literature review and categorized into three dimensions of social capital, i.e., civic and political participation, network ties and trust, and consolidated and knowledge resources. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and independent t-test were used to compare each dimension and overall social capital. Results have revealed that civic and political participation is more or less similar in formal and informal settlements. Informal settlements had stronger social ties, networks, and trust in the community, whereas formal settlements had better access to consolidated and knowledge resources. The study also found a strong positive correlation between actual and perceived social capital. The proposed methodology is tested and found operational for assessing the social capital of hazard-prone areas and communities.