Neighborhood and sense of community

Abstract

In the context of a larger study focused on the development of an instrument to measure sense of community, respondents were asked to identify components (e.g., family, friends, church, neighborhood) that they believe comprise their community. Initial data analysis suggested a potentially important division between respondents who did and did not include “neighborhood” in their definition of their community. These two groups then were compared on the major variables of the larger study: Actual sense of community, ideal sense of community, community satisfaction, and community competence. Results suggest that respondents with a higher ideal sense of community were significantly less likely to identify “neighborhood” as a component of their community; those whose actual sense of community, community satisfaction, and community competence were higher were significantly more likely to include “neighborhood” among the components. The tendency not to consider one's neighborhood important in assessing ideal sense of community, but, rather, to actually consider it an important feature of one's day‐to‐day sense of community is discussed in light of some suggestions that one's neighborhood has become a less important element in developing or maintaining one's sense of community.

The influence of community factors on the engagement of residents in place promotion: Empirical evidence from an Italian heritage site

“…1 Community commitment refers to the propensity of residents to develop and maintain strong links between community members and the collective-oriented values shared by them (Glynn, 1986), thus exercising control over the activities that affect community life (Timothy, 1999). Community commitment thus represents the highest level of having a "sense of place", related to the actual behaviour of residents that undertake concrete activities for the place (Shamai, 1991).…”

Investigating Sense of Community and Academic Success in First Year College Students in the Department of Natural Resources Management

“…He found out that some members knew a sense of belonging existed in their community, and they knew when it did not (Sarason, 1974). Many people researched the dimensions of sense of community (Bardo, 1976;Doolittle & McDonald, 1978;Glynn, 1981;Naser & Julian, 1995, Skjaeveland, Garling & Maeland, 1996.…”

Sense of Community and Neighborhood Design: A Comparative Case Study of Four Arroyo Grande Neighborhoods

“…homogeneity, age, income, gender, length of residency, expected length of residency, educational attainment, the presence of children, shared values, loyalty, labor force participation, stage of life, home ownership and number of neighbors known by first name (Talen, 1999;Glynn, 1986Glynn, , 1981Burkhart, 1981;Campbell and Lee, 1992;Gans, 1962;Haggerty, 1982;Fischer, 1976;Kasarda and Janowitz, 1974).…”

“…It had become clear through the use of social network analysis that as with advancements in technology, communication, transportation and life styles, the city had become "smaller" where the neighborhood had less of importance for its residents than previously (Wellman and Leighton, 1979). As advancements in technology are made non-spatial factors become increasingly important in the formation of social relationships (Glynn, 1986).…”

“…The debate is based on the relationship between the physical space and the creation of community. Researchers agree that physical space has an impact on the formation or disintegration of a sense of community; however, many researchers feel that the role of physical space in the formation of community is overplayed (Talen 1999 (Talen, 1999;Glynn, 1986Glynn, , 1981Burkhart, 1981;Campbell and Lee, 1992;Gans, 1962;Haggery, 1982;Fischer, 1976;Kasarda and Janowitz, 1974).…”