Neighborhood form influences social capital

A new study by Kevin Leyden of West Virginia University explores how neighborhood form influences the generation of social capital, i.e., the level of political and social engagement among residents. Leyden’s analysis of a survey of residents in traditional downtown and first-ring suburb neighborhoods and in new auto-dependent suburbs in Galway City, Ireland, concludes that neighborhood form and design has a “profound effect” on social capital. Leyden plans similar studies in the US, some in new urban communities. Contact: Kleyden@wvu.edu or (304) 293-3811 ext. 5297. u