The Telegraph published an article on the Grattan Institute’s new report, Social Cities, in which it states that Australian cities are becoming lonelier places to live and the way they are planned contributes to people’s loneliness. The Grattan Institute is a Melbourne-based public policy think tank.
Grattan Institute maintains that isolation and loneliness are increasing amongst Australian residents due to a lack of face-to-face contact. In addition, it states that loneliness is putting people’s health at risk.
The report found evidence that Australian city-dwellers have fewer friendships now than 20 years ago and 24% of households are occupied by a single person. One-person households are the fastest growing household type in Australia, and are expected to grow from 24% in 2006 to 28% by 2030. This, coupled with an ageing society and an increasing population growth, is increasing the risk of isolation. While the report is not indicating that all people who live alone are lonely, it states that connections with people outside the home are becoming more difficult.
Improved city planning can improve social connections. Minimal funding to improve social connections can produce large returns, the report states. The report documents that humans are inherently social and therefore relationships are critical to wellbeing. It examines how the design and functioning of a city – from transport networks to the availability of parks and sporting grounds to social clubs to pet ownership to the architecture of public spaces and buildings – can help bring people together or keep them apart. Community participation in urban planning should also be part of the urbanization process.
There is growing evidence that people with strong social connections live longer. Fewer people died in neighbourhoods where people knew and trusted their neighbours than in a nearby area with weak social connections. Australian research also shows that older people with stronger friendship networks live longer. The importance of social connection to health and wellbeing means that, for many people, improved relationships are a much more realistic path to a better life than increased income.
Social connections are defined as meaningful, positive interactions. They are linked to, but distinct from, other concepts that are invoked to describe successful communities. The Grattan Institute’s report maintains that social connections are the vital ingredient that transforms architecture, engineering, and people into a place with character and culture. Social cohesion refers to common values and civic culture, social order and social control, social solidarity and a shared sense of belonging. Social inclusion refers to people having the resources, opportunities, and capabilities to participate in all aspects of life so that they can meet their basic needs and live in dignity. Therefore successful and social cities have high levels of social capital, trust, cohesion, and inclusion.
The report discusses how mobility, commuting, and the functions of cities contribute and influence people’s ability to connect with each other. Mobility and transport enhances people’s wellbeing by helping them feel in control and autonomous, competent and connected with others and the community at large (including shopping, family and friends, sporting and cultural events, and community activities). There is also growing awareness of the environmental costs of commuting (travelling) to work. In America, Robert Putnam found “a simple rule of thumb: every 10 minutes of commuting results in 10% fewer social connections” which can also be true in Australia and other countries. One study found that over 10% of working parents spend more time commuting than they do with their children. In Australia, the mean weekly commuting time for full-time workers in major capital cities rose from 4.8 hours in 2002 to 5.2 hours in 2006 and is expected to increase. In addition, if communities are too spread out, facilities are closer to few households.
Feeling a sense of local identity or belonging is linked to trust, improved wellbeing, and greater community participation. Therefore the layout of a neighbourhood can help people feel oriented, and give a sense of territory and belonging. Distinctiveness in style can have a similar effect. Different communities may benefit from different approaches. However, the report, Social Cities, maintains that successful neighbourhoods balance privacy with enough activity, diversity and interest to stimulate people and engage them with the community. There is also evidence that walking promotes a sense of local identity and social connection. Residents in ‘walkable’ neighbourhoods are “more likely to know their neighbours, to participate politically, to trust others and to be involved socially.”
The challenge in identifying measures to improve social connection in Australian cities can be conducted in many ways by many participants without waiting for official stamps of approval or public money. The report provides examples of initiatives from around Australia and the world, to stimulate ideas, research and action.
(http://www.grattan.edu.com)
Comments
Post a Comment