Evaluating Effects of Neighborhood Planning Factors on the Amount of Social Capital in Residential Complexes (Case Study: Chalous and Noshahr Cities)

Abstract

Paying attention to social capital as new form of capital with developmental essence has been constantly increasing in different fields of knowledge including environmental sciences and planning built environment. In this case, the main question is whether environment planning can impact on creating and strengthening of social capital or not. Accordingly, this study investigates the correlation between two variables of social capital and design factors of neighborhood unit (independent and dependent variables, respectively). Therefore, the correlation method has been used. First, the components which derive from these variables are recognized based on theoretical framework. So neighborhood unit has two main physical and social dimensions in which public services, safety, accessibility, public spaces and territory are components of physical dimension and social ties, satisfaction, sense of belonging and security and peace are components of social dimension. Then their relationship was formulated through a conceptual model. After that, the theoretical findings of study were investigated through some field surveys (by questionnaires) in three residential complexes in Chalous and Nowshahr cities. Based on findings of field survey, the amount of correlation between the variables of study was examined through Spearman's test. Results of the study confirmed that increasing satisfaction of physical and social dimensions of neighborhood units will cause to promote amount of social capital among residents.