Investing in the Civic Economy: Social Capital and Choice Neighborhoods

Author: Mary Ellen Brown

Dissertation School: Louisiana State University

Abstract:

The purpose of this research is to understand the relationship between neighborhood revitalization planning and social capital, and the impact of those relationships on residents’ readiness for transformation of the community into a neighborhood of Choice. Specifically, this research aims to identify how Shreveport, Louisiana’s Choice Neighborhood planning initiative will impact the civic economy and perceptions of social capital in the Allendale/Ledbetter Heights neighborhoods. Research questions include:

• What are the residents’ perceptions of systems of social trust that currently exist in the Allendale/Ledbetter Heights neighborhoods?
• Do dimensions of social capital and perceptions of social trust vary among different groups of people, such as gender, marital status, race/ethnicity, age group, educational level, employment status, homeowner status, and length of time living in the neighborhood?
• Are residents’ perceptions of trust related to their level of openness to the transformation of their neighborhood into a Choice Neighborhood?
• Are residents who perceive that they have access to health care, education and/or housing opportunities more inclined to believe that they can contribute to improve their civic economy?
• How does the Choice Neighborhood planning process impact the dimensions of social capital for Allendale/Ledbetter Heights residents?
• Do different experiences of civic engagement and collaboration result in higher levels of trust, more extensive social networks, and more reliable reciprocal relationships?

The methodology is a pre-measurement post-measurement, mixed method, correlational study design, utilizing within-group analyses to examine variations among resident perceptions in relation to resident characteristics. This includes a content analysis of the Allendale ONE assessment (2007) to obtain baseline data on the levels of social capital, openness to transformation and perceptions of the civic economy. Focus groups will be held at the start of the project to inform survey development, and the survey will be an adapted version of the Harvard Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey – Short Form. 380 telephone and face-to-face surveys will assess perceptions of the civic economy, openness to transformation, and dimensions of social capital of neighborhood residents. A post-measurement will be conducted six months after the applied policy intervention – Choice Neighborhood planning activities geared toward resident engagement – is fully initiated by the Shreveport Choice Neighborhood Planning Team, and will replicate the pre-measurement focus group and survey process.

Research has shown that residential involvement is a key to success in launching neighborhood revitalization initiatives, and residential engagement should be an integral part of planning. There is a gap in the literature in understanding the relationship between revitalization planning and social capital. As Choice Neighborhoods emphasizes the necessity of meaningful resident engagement, it is important to understand how this engagement is meaningful to residents, specifically whether this approach impacts residents’ social capital, and therefore capacity for change. The Choice Neighborhood concept relies on the interest of persons outside of the neighborhood to invest in the community. Increasing the desirability of a neighborhood, perceptions of quality of life, and ultimately its market economy requires first an understanding and strengthening of a neighborhood’s civic economy – its social capital, level of residential engagement, perceptions of well-being and trust. A highly functioning civic economy is an vital piece of the foundation for a Choice Neighborhood.

This research is important because it contributes to the knowledge base of community organizers and urban planners in their ability to meaningfully engage and empower citizens in community transformation initiatives. A greater understanding of the perceived civic economy and social trust systems of residents in blighted neighborhoods will assist planners and organizers in developing strategies to address revitalization efforts in significant and sustainable ways. This research will primarily inform the strategic planning efforts of the Choice Neighborhood in Allendale/Ledbetter Heights for the City of Shreveport, but the broader impact anticipated is that HUD, other Choice Neighborhood planning grantees, and others involved in neighborhood revitalization planning will have a greater understanding of the potential impact of residential engagement in the planning process on social capital and social trust systems.

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