Walkability and Social Capital

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School

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology *

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222

Subject

Economics

Date

Nov 24, 2024

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docx

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4

Uploaded by CaptainRoseStingray27

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1 Walkability and Social Capital Student Name Institutional Affiliation Course title Professor’s Name Date
2 Walkability and Social Capital Social capital theory offers valuable insights into addressing the lack of sidewalks in Lemon Valley, a small suburban community. Social capital theory emphasizes the value of social connections, trust, and cooperation within a community to achieve common goals (Gannon & Roberts, 2018). It can be applied to improve walkability in various ways. Lemon Valley can utilize social capital theory to foster community engagement and collaboration by organizing gatherings, online platforms, and events that encourage residents to discuss walkability issues, share ideas, and form partnerships. Building trust and reciprocity among community members, particularly in their relationship with local government, is vital for garnering support for sidewalk improvements. Furthermore, by leveraging social capital, Lemon Valley can mobilize resources from residents, local businesses, and community organizations, thereby facilitating funding and material contributions for sidewalk enhancement projects. Additionally, promoting social norms that prioritize walkability and encourage responsible behavior through social capital can deter instances of vandalism or neglect of essential public infrastructure like sidewalks. Bridging social capital can have both positive and negative impacts on walkability improvements: Bridging social capital can bring together different stakeholders, such as residents, city officials, and businesses, to work collaboratively on sidewalk projects (Vannebo & Ljunggren, 2021). This diversity of perspectives can lead to innovative solutions and broader support for improvements. However, it may also face challenges in terms of conflicting interests or power imbalances among different groups. Overcoming these obstacles and finding common ground can be difficult, slowing down progress. The four elements of the diffusion of innovations can play a crucial role in Lemon Valley's efforts to plan and expand walking trails. Firstly, identifying innovators within the community who are enthusiastic about the idea of new walking trails is essential. These trail
3 champions can help spark interest and momentum, while also engaging early adopters who can effectively communicate the benefits of the trails to others. Secondly, Lemon Valley should utilize various communication channels such as social media, community newsletters, and public meetings to disseminate information about the walking trails, highlighting their advantages and keeping the community informed about progress. Thirdly, understanding the existing social networks and influential figures within the community is vital. Engaging with community leaders and opinion influencers can help garner support and endorsement for the trail project, making it more likely to succeed. Lastly, it's crucial to acknowledge that the adoption of walking trails may require time, and patience is key in ensuring that the community gradually embraces the idea, allowing for a successful and sustainable integration of these trails into the local environment. Issues of structural bias should be considered in examining walkability issues. Lemon Valley should assess whether the lack of sidewalks disproportionately affects certain groups, such as low-income residents or people with disabilities. Addressing structural bias may involve ensuring equitable access to sidewalks and trails and actively involving marginalized communities in the planning process to prevent further disparities in walkability (Rajaee et al., 2021). References Gannon, B., & Roberts, J. (2018). Social capital: exploring the theory and empirical divide. Empirical Economics , 58 (3), 899–919. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00181-018-1556-y Rajaee, M., Echeverri, B., Zuchowicz, Z., Wiltfang, K., & Lucarelli, J. (2021). Socioeconomic and racial disparities of sidewalk quality in a traditional rust belt city. SSM-Population Health , 16 , 100975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100975
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4 Vannebo, B. I., & Ljunggren, E. B. (2021). Bridging or bonding: An organizational framework for studying social capital in kindergartens. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health , 18 (5), 2663. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052663