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Social Capital and Walkability as Social Aspects of Sustainability

Author

Listed:
  • Shannon H. Rogers

    () (Center for the Environment, Plymouth State University, MSC 63 17 High Street, Plymouth, NH 03264, USA)

  • Kevin H. Gardner

    () (Environmental Research Group, University of New Hampshire, 35 Colovos Rd, Durham, NH 03264, USA)

  • Cynthia H. Carlson

    () (New England College, 98 Bridge St, Henniker, NH 03242, USA)

Abstract

The concepts of sustainability and sustainable development are frequently described as having three main components, sometimes referred to as the three pillars or the triple bottom line: environmental, economic, and social. Because of an historical focus in the sustainability field on correcting environmental problems, much consideration has been given to environmental issues, especially how they interface with economic ones. Frequently mentioned but rarely examined, the social aspects of sustainability have been considered the weakest and least described pillar. After a brief review of existing concepts and theories, this paper uses a case study approach to examine the third pillar more comprehensively and offers social capital as one measure of social sustainability. Specifically, social capital was used to measure the social-environmental interface of communities. The positive correlation between aspects of the built environment, specifically walkability, and social capital suggests that measuring a social aspect of sustainability may be feasible, especially in the context of community development.

Suggested Citation

  • Shannon H. Rogers & Kevin H. Gardner & Cynthia H. Carlson, 2013. "Social Capital and Walkability as Social Aspects of Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, Open Access Journal, vol. 5(8), pages 1-11, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:5:y:2013:i:8:p:3473-3483:d:27959
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:aph:ajpbhl:2003:93:9:1546-1551_1 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Lehtonen, Markku, 2004. "The environmental-social interface of sustainable development: capabilities, social capital, institutions," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 49(2), pages 199-214, June.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. repec:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:10:p:1779-:d:113860 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Maja Ročak & Gert-Jan Hospers & Nol Reverda, 2016. "Searching for Social Sustainability: The Case of the Shrinking City of Heerlen, The Netherlands," Sustainability, MDPI, Open Access Journal, vol. 8(4), pages 1-22, April.
    3. repec:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:7:p:1233-:d:104568 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Chisun Yoo & Sugie Lee, 2016. "Neighborhood Built Environments Affecting Social Capital and Social Sustainability in Seoul, Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, Open Access Journal, vol. 8(12), pages 1-22, December.
    5. Rakhshanda Khan, 2016. "How Frugal Innovation Promotes Social Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, Open Access Journal, vol. 8(10), pages 1-29, October.
    6. repec:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:5:p:707-:d:97108 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. repec:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:1:p:81:d:62296 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Adriana Acevedo Tirado & Mariana Ruiz Morales & Odette Lobato-Calleros, 2015. "Additional Indicators to Promote Social Sustainability within Government Programs: Equity and Efficiency," Sustainability, MDPI, Open Access Journal, vol. 7(7), pages 1-17, July.
    9. Progress Choongo & Elco Van Burg & Leo J. Paas & Enno Masurel, 2016. "Factors Influencing the Identification of Sustainable Opportunities by SMEs: Empirical Evidence from Zambia," Sustainability, MDPI, Open Access Journal, vol. 8(1), pages 1-24, January.
    10. repec:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:4:p:382:d:68475 is not listed on IDEAS

    More about this item

    Keywords

    walkability; communities; quality of life; sustainability indicators; social capital;

    JEL classification:

    • Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics
    • Q0 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General
    • Q2 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation
    • Q3 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation
    • Q5 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products

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