We conduct experiments in urban slums to measure trust and cooperation and to see how behavior varies with demographic factors and associational measures of social capital. Overall, we find high contribution rates among Thai and Vietnamese participants in a voluntary contribution game, and we see that many participants are willing to signal their disapproval of free riding despite it being costly to do so. At the individual level, we find that behavior varies with many demographic factors and with many associational factors. However, these correlations often differ significantly between our two locations, indicating the role of culture, defined broadly.

This paper conducts a comparative analysis of social capital and environmental management in two rapidly growing regions in south-east Asia, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City. Theoretical and empirical triangulation are used to clarify the nature of social capital and the ways that gender, in particular, affects trust and co-operation. Theoretical triangulation is accomplished by drawing on conceptual arguments made in economics, geography and urban planning to develop a theoretical framework explaining social capital and environmental management in south-east Asia. Empirical triangulation is accomplished through a multimethod analytical approach, including survey methods and experimental games conducted with the same populations. The results of the comparative analysis among squatter residents in Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City are presented with a focus on gender differences in trust and co-operation and the paper concludes with a summary of the results and recommendations for policy and future research.

Central and local governments and their creditors are increasingly interested in cost recovery for public services. These strategies have two aims: increasing revenues and making a better connection between benefits received and consumer bills. This paper estimates a hedonic model for household-level data in a rare contrast of slums in two Asian mega-cities to provide comparative information about how the poor value environmental amenities and basic infrastructure access. The results suggest that slum housing prices do reflect differentials in public service access and that rough estimates of the value of access can be cheaply and usefully obtained for planning purposes.

Operating at the interface between ideas and action, graduate education in geography and planning has a responsibility to provide students with theoretical and practical training. This paper describes service-learning as a form of engaged pedagogy, exploring its ability to interrogate notions related to the “professional turn” and its contributions to transformative learning. Using a case study of a graduate-level service-learning course at the University of Toronto, we address the challenges associated with service-learning and highlight opportunities for students, faculty, universities, and community organizations. Our case study is based on assessment and analysis of the course and contributions to student learning, professional development, and community engagement. We contend that, at the graduate level, service-learning is an underutilized pedagogical tool. Service-learning can impart high-demand skills to graduate students by transforming how students learn and move from knowledge into ideas and ultimately action, and by offering opportunities for developing higher-order reasoning and critical thinking.