Social Capital and Community Design

Abstract

Key Points Social capital is broadly defined as the resources that individuals can access through their connections to a social group. Examples of such resources include exchange of social support and the ability to undertake collective action for mutual benefit. The stock of social capital in a community is measured by the level of trust between community members, the existence of norms of reciprocity, and the perceived ability to undertake collective action (collective efficacy). Social capital affects health through the exchange of network-based resources (such as psychosocial support), collective action (such as lobbying for community bike trails), and the enforcement of social norms for health behaviors. The built environment can affect social capital by providing opportunities for formal and informal social interactions and promoting investment in a shared space. Examples from studies of planned residential communities and local improvements in the built environment support the notion that social capital can be fostered by making changes in the environment.