In the wake of environmental and social disturbances such as sea level rise and mass migration into cities driven by economic, social and political factors alike, many municipal governments around the world have underestimated and neglected a little known sustainability issue: social connectedness. While devising large scale efforts to build resilience through large infrastructure projects and sustainable community design, we forget about this issue that could otherwise enable greater resilience. Even Vancouver, often hailed as an urban planning utopia-- its design has been marketed and replicated worldwide as 'Vancouverism'-- has a long way to go before it achieves social connectedness in the city. Why is social connectedness important for cities? What might it look like and how can we socially engineer cities, especially at the neighborhood and building scale, to foster it?
Despite densification and transit accessibility in its central business district and surrounding downtown residential neighborhoods, Vancouver suffers from a social isolation problem. Some might not consider this a problem; historically, urban sociologists and geographers, such as George Simmel, have long critiqued urban living for its anonymity (read Hubbard's the City). In the modern era, planners and sociologists have warned that not knowing the names or being able to rely on those living across your floor or within your own building, creates vulnerability. After publishing a frightening article in the New Yorker on the big earthquake projected to hit the Pacific Northwest, the author revealed one piece of advice for communities that want to lower their risk of casualties and be prepared: get to know your neighbors.
If natural disasters occur, or even something like the refugee crisis, it is imperative for people to be able to rely on others within their vicinity. In the long term, social cohesion, even if superficial, might offer a sense of stability. This is especially the case for vulnerable populations, for instance, those living in social housing, or in buildings where young families and senior citizens live. Being able to take care of neighbors or receive favors when needed is what cities should begin to imagine under social connectedness. It is what we will require resilience. Fortunately, Vancouver has outlined goals to Cultivate Connections in its Healthiest City Strategy 2014-2025, highlighting that is prioritizes social cohesion as a priority issue.
Stay tuned for Part 2!
Halina Rachelson
Despite densification and transit accessibility in its central business district and surrounding downtown residential neighborhoods, Vancouver suffers from a social isolation problem. Some might not consider this a problem; historically, urban sociologists and geographers, such as George Simmel, have long critiqued urban living for its anonymity (read Hubbard's the City). In the modern era, planners and sociologists have warned that not knowing the names or being able to rely on those living across your floor or within your own building, creates vulnerability. After publishing a frightening article in the New Yorker on the big earthquake projected to hit the Pacific Northwest, the author revealed one piece of advice for communities that want to lower their risk of casualties and be prepared: get to know your neighbors.
If natural disasters occur, or even something like the refugee crisis, it is imperative for people to be able to rely on others within their vicinity. In the long term, social cohesion, even if superficial, might offer a sense of stability. This is especially the case for vulnerable populations, for instance, those living in social housing, or in buildings where young families and senior citizens live. Being able to take care of neighbors or receive favors when needed is what cities should begin to imagine under social connectedness. It is what we will require resilience. Fortunately, Vancouver has outlined goals to Cultivate Connections in its Healthiest City Strategy 2014-2025, highlighting that is prioritizes social cohesion as a priority issue.
Stay tuned for Part 2!
Halina Rachelson
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