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Social Capital and Neighbourhoods that Work

Author

Listed:
  • Alan Middleton

    (Corporate Development Centre, University of Central England, Perry Barr, Birmingham, B42 2SU, UK, alan.middleton@uce.ac.uk)

  • Alan Murie

    (Centre for Urban and Regional Studies, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK, A.S.Murie@bham.ac.uk)

  • Rick Groves

    (Centre for Urban and Regional Studies, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK, R. Groves @ bham. ac. uk)

Abstract

The concept of social capital has received increasing attention in recent years from both academics and the policy community. It has come to be widely used in debates about housing and neighbourhoods and figures strongly in discussions of social cohesion, community development and neighbourhood renewal. This paper provides an original discussion of some of the key issues related to these debates. It argues that, although it is widely used, the concept of social capital is poorly defined and much of the discussion is based upon assertion rather than upon evidence. The paper goes on to present the results from original social survey work carried out in Bournville in Birmingham, England, and referring to different parts of the Bournville estate. The results refer to the extent of bonding, bridging and linking social capital and how these relate to the social and economic differences between six neighbourhoods within Bournville. The survey evidence is not consistent with key assertions made in the existing literature in relation to age, poverty and class and the paper concludes by raising important reservations about the use of social capital as an analytical rather than a generic concept.

Suggested Citation

  • Alan Middleton & Alan Murie & Rick Groves, 2005. "Social Capital and Neighbourhoods that Work," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 42(10), pages 1711-1738, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:42:y:2005:i:10:p:1711-1738
    DOI: 10.1080/00420980500231589
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. William Maloney & Graham Smith & Gerry Stoker, 2000. "Social Capital and Urban Governance: Adding a More Contextualized ‘Top‐down’ Perspective," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 48(4), pages 802-820, September.
    2. DiPasquale, Denise & Glaeser, Edward L., 1999. "Incentives and Social Capital: Are Homeowners Better Citizens?," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 45(2), pages 354-384, March.
    3. Foley, Michael W. & Edwards, Bob, 1999. "Is It Time to Disinvest in Social Capital?," Journal of Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 19(2), pages 141-173, May.
    4. Ben Fine, 1999. "The Developmental State Is Dead—Long Live Social Capital?," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 30(1), pages 1-19, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yitzhak Dahan, 2017. "A Strategic Political-Culture Basis for Developing the Socioeconomic Welfare of Disadvantaged Urban Communities: General Review and Policy Framework," International Journal of Social Science Studies, Redfame publishing, vol. 5(9), pages 1-10, September.
    2. Chien-Ching Chia & Chaoyun Liang, 2016. "Influence of Creativity and Social Capital on the Entrepreneurial Intention of Tourism Students," Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation, Fundacja Upowszechniająca Wiedzę i Naukę "Cognitione", vol. 12(2), pages 151-167.
    3. Lang, Richard & Novy, Andreas, 2011. "Housing Cooperatives and Social Capital: The Case of Vienna," SRE-Discussion Papers 2011/02, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business.

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