Does Permeability Promote Social Cohesion

Abstract

Understanding environmental conditions of neighbourhoods can play a critical role in maintaining social interactions among residents. This research is carried out to assess the effect of street permeability on the degree of social cohesion among residents in a residential neighbourhood in Penang, Malaysia. A total of 250 households participated in the study. The findings indicate that permeability can account for a significant proportion of the variance in residents' social cohesion. Residents living in less permeable streets are more likely to have a high social cohesion with their neighbours. The results further support the defensible space concept which advocates closed streets.

The wicked problem of social cohesion: moving ahead

“…Some of the causes of social cohesion were outlined before including: understanding and acknowledging diversity; trust between various groups within society; respect for each other at the individual and group level, instilling a sense of belonging; social justice involving equality and equity of treatment in legislative environments; and economic justice involving distribution of income, access to education and opportunities and employment (Sanjines, 2007; Erdem et al , 2016; Holtug, 2017; Le Roux et al , 2018; Abdullah et al , 2018; Glasford and Jonnston, 2018; Boarini et al , 2018). The outputs of social cohesion that were discussed by the participants were also in line with the literature.…”