‘Communities with Oomph’? Exploring the Potential for Stronger Social Ties to Revitalise Disadvantaged Neighbourhoods

Abstract

Successive governments in the UK have claimed that strengthening social ties can revitalise the fortunes of disadvantaged areas. This claim has been critiqued extensively by urban scholars for failing to understand the nature of lived urban social relations. However, less attention has been given to mapping out the terrain of this criticism, despite the different positions adopted by scholars and, by extension, the divergent implications for public policy. With this paper I address this gap by identifying and reflecting on two of the most prominent frameworks of critique. I draw on empirical research of social ties in two deprived neighbourhoods in England to assess the validity of these frameworks and their applicability in different spatial contexts. I conclude that both provide useful insights into the dynamics of change and the limits of existing policy but, also, that the specificity of each account is perhaps overlooked.

Effects of structural, relational and cognitive social capital on resource acquisition: a study of entrepreneurs residing in multiply deprived areas

“…ethnic minorities, unemployed, low income, lone parents (Boon and Farnsworth, 2011;Bretherton and Pleace, 2011;Daly and Silver, 2008;Kitching, 2006). It has long been recognised that there is weak economic growth and enterprise performance in multiply deprived areas (Blackburn and Ram, 2006;Crisp, 2013;Southern, 2011). Indeed, new businesses started by entrepreneurs residing in multiply deprived areas suffer from scalability and growth issues and are often unable to generate a living wage (Greene et al, 2008;Jayawarna et al, 2011;Jayawarna, 2006, 2011;Shane, 2009;UKCES, 2011).…”

“…Thus, entrepreneurs adhere to the principles of high integrity and fairness to ensure durable support in turbulent and uncertain times (Cooke et al, 2005;Molina-Morales and Fernandez, 2006;Welter and Smallbone, 2006). In multiply deprived areas, a moral disposition underpins civic action and sustainable enterprising behavior (Crisp, 2013;Schnur, 2005). As such, trustworthy social relations appear to reinforce the psychological security of entrepreneurs residing in multiply deprived areas (Lee et al, 2011;Welter et al, 2008).…”

‘Keeping meself to meself’ – How Social Networks Can Influence Narratives of Stigma and Identity for Long‐term Sickness Benefits Recipients

“…Again, the quotation from Shaun's interview highlights how stigma encourages him to withdraw from social networks in his neighbourhood resulting in him 'keeping meself to meself'. Efforts to limit social contact with other residents were also evident in research by Crisp (2013). A number of residents in his study of disadvantaged neighbourhoods articulated a desire to 'keep themselves to themselves'.…”

The contribution of intergroup neighbouring to community participation: Evidence from Shanghai

“…Much of the revived interest in neighbouring can be attributed to its supposed ability to facilitate community participation (Cheshire, 2015;Corcoran et al, 2017;Crisp, 2013;Ho & Chua, 2017;Kearns & Parkinson, 2001). Yet despite the enthusiasm for neighbouring, few studies have actually examined the relationship between neighbouring and community participation.…”

“…This argument has also fuelled many place-based government policies that aim to revitalise deprived localities by stimulating self-help amongst residents. For instance, the Cameron administration in the UK has extensively built on this assumption and introduced a series of policies that aim to strengthen local communities such as the 'New Deal for Communities' or the vision for a 'Big society' (Crisp, 2013). Equally, the Chinese government has directed more resources towards building cohesive neighbourhoods since the Hu/Wen era through the 'community construction' policy initiative (Shieh & Friedmann, 2008).…”