Social interaction at a high-rise, high-density urban flat complex

Abstract

The present study focuses on the social interaction experiences of the residents of Schubart Park, a high-rise, high-density, multi-building flat complex catering for middle-class residents in central Pretoria. The question is posed whether the conclusions of social scientists regarding the supposed negative influence of such complexes are always justified. An answer to the question is attempted by using a theoretical model of density, crowding, privacy, and environmental perception to help interpret the findings. The theoretical model, in which emphasis is placed on social interaction (an important field of interest for the sociologist), is shown to have sociological relevance and is interpreted from a specifically sociological point of view. The present study investigates the frequency, nature, and intensity of social Interaction at Schubart Park on the assumption that associative social interaction can mitigate the negative effects of density and reduce the probability that unacceptable crowding will b...