Combating Suburban Decline: The Role of Social Capital and CDCs - 2 views

social capital community development corporations inner suburbs Cincinnati Ohio suburban decline neighborhood revitalization economic stability networks Joanna Mitchell Brown 2011

started by Metropolitan Institute on 04 Jan 12

#1 Metropolitan Institute on 04 Jan 12

Abstract: This paper analyzes the role of social capital and Community Development Corporations (CDCs) in Cincinnati's inner-suburbs as tools to combat suburban decline. Building off of previous research on social capital and community development, this research examines the social capital - community development link within three first-ring suburbs in Greater Cincinnati and presents the research methodology and preliminary findings. In doing so, it outlines the challenges of the first-suburbs, in light of suburban decline.

This analysis also addresses the role and function of social capital as a community development tool, including opportunities for urban non-profit housing CDCs in promoting neighborhood revitalization within the inner-ring suburbs. Over the last several decades' first-suburbs have experienced characteristics of suburban decline (i.e., shrinking business districts, declining residential neighborhoods, population loss, and the emergence of crime and deterioration) (Lucy and Phillips, 2006). The problems facing first-suburbs have been exacerbated with the current foreclosure crisis and economic recession. With elected officials and administrators of first-suburban communities facing budget constraints and increased threats to neighborhood stability, it is important to revisit the concept of social capital as a tool for community development.

The use of social capital as a mechanism of community development has been explored for over the last two decades (Gittell and Vidal, 1998; Temkin and Rohe, 1998; Putnam, 2000; Woolcock, 2001). However, much of the research on this topic focused on its role and function in the revitalization of low-income inner-city communities across the United States; and to a lesser extent on low to middle-income first-suburban communities within the US.

Research evidence from the literature indicates that some form of social capital is necessary for neighborhood revitalization to occur within the inner-ring suburbs. Yet, the extent to which social capital is able to address all the challenges of first-ring suburbs depends on the specific context in which it first-suburban communities mobilize their social capital to implement community development initiatives.

This research employs a case study analysis approach using semi-structured interviews and social network analysis of community based social capital networks (e.g., bonding, bridging, and linking) as well as photo-documentation of neighborhood conditions within the first-suburbs.

Mitchell Brown, Joanna. "Combating Suburban Decline: The Role of Social Capital and CDCs." Paper to be presented at the annual conference for the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning, Salt Lake City, Utah, October 13-16, 2011.

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Abstract: This paper analyzes the role of social capital and Community Development Corporations (CDCs) in Cincinnati's inner-suburbs as tools to combat suburban decline. Building off of previous research on social capital and community development, this research examines the social capital - community development link within three first-ring suburbs in Greater Cincinnati and presents the research methodology and preliminary findings. In doing so, it outlines the challenges of the first-suburbs, in light of suburban decline. This analysis also addresses the role and function of social capital as a community development tool, including opportunities for urban non-profit housing CDCs in promoting neighborhood revitalization within the inner-ring suburbs. Over the last several decades' first-suburbs have experienced characteristics of suburban decline (i.e., shrinking business districts, declining residential neighborhoods, population loss, and the emergence of crime and deterioration) (Lucy and Phillips, 2006). The problems facing first-suburbs have been exacerbated with the current foreclosure crisis and economic recession. With elected officials and administrators of first-suburban communities facing budget constraints and increased threats to neighborhood stability, it is important to revisit the concept of social capital as a tool for community development. The use of social capital as a mechanism of community development has been explored for over the last two decades (Gittell and Vidal, 1998; Temkin and Rohe, 1998; Putnam, 2000; Woolcock, 2001). However, much of the research on this topic focused on its role and function in the revitalization of low-income inner-city communities across the United States; and to a lesser extent on low to middle-income first-suburban communities within the US. Research evidence from the literature indicates that some form of social capital is necessary for neighborhood revitalization to occur within the inner-ring suburbs. Yet, the extent to which social capital is able to address all the challenges of first-ring suburbs depends on the specific context in which it first-suburban communities mobilize their social capital to implement community development initiatives. This research employs a case study analysis approach using semi-structured interviews and social network analysis of community based social capital networks (e.g., bonding, bridging, and linking) as well as photo-documentation of neighborhood conditions within the first-suburbs. Mitchell Brown, Joanna. "Combating Suburban Decline: The Role of Social Capital and CDCs." Paper to be presented at the annual conference for the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning, Salt Lake City, Utah, October 13-16, 2011.</div>

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