Social Cohesion and Neighbor Interactions within Multifamily Apartment Buildings: Challenges of COVID-19 and Directions of Action

Branislava Stoiljković

doi:10.3390/su14020738

Abstract

Relations among neighbors are a key indicator of the strength of a local social community, contribute to social cohesion and are an important factor in achieving a higher level of social sustainability. On the other hand, the environment in which people live plays an important role in encouraging social contacts and developing relationships between people. In order to establish social interactions between neighbors within a multifamily apartment building (MFAB), it is necessary to provide adequate spaces for communication between residents. This was especially emphasized during the mobility restrictions caused by COVID-19, although this necessity is permanent. This paper analyzes the influence of the physical characteristics of common spaces in MFABs on the quality and intensity of contacts among residents of MFABs in the City of Niš, Serbia. In order to determine the current quality of these spaces as a physical framework for interactions among residents and to identify the wishes of users regarding interactions with neighbors in these spaces before and during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, a survey was conducted. The analysis of the survey results and numerous examples of housing design led to (1) the formation of guidelines for future designs of MFABs and (2) recommendations for redefining the standards regulating the field of housing construction in the region, both applicable during the period of the pandemic and after it.

Highlights

The grouping of residents in a multifamily apartment building (MFAB) is without any specific connections, and the spatial proximity will not itself guarantee their sociological closeness [1,2]
As life amid the COVID-19 pandemic has already become a new reality, the design requirements for MFABs need to be adapted to these new conditions
Design measures that would contribute to maximizing the prevention and protection against coronavirus should be considered and implemented to an extent that will contribute to the overall improvement of housing quality

Summary

Introduction

The grouping of residents in a multifamily apartment building (MFAB) is without any specific connections, and the spatial proximity will not itself guarantee their sociological closeness [1,2]. With the increase in the total number of residents, the possibility for the neighbors to know each other decreases and the feeling of belonging to a certain social group weakens. There is a noticeable negative impact according to various social criteria, such as social cohesion, social interactions and community building [3,4,9,10]. Characteristic for areas with MFABs, impairs social interactions [11], reduces the degree of neighbor ties and trust [12,13] and can lead to alienation among people [5]

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Conclusion