Multi-family Housing, Social Capital, and Charitable Behavior: Does Spatial Connectedness Influence Social Connectedness?

Abstract

Research and popular discussion in the last decade have led to a growing understanding of the importance of social capital for efficient societal functioning. This article considered the relationship of spatial connectedness in the built environment to social connectedness. Using charitable giving as a measure of pro-social behavior, an examination of 15,535 households participating in the Consumer Expenditure Survey revealed an inverse U-shaped relationship between proximity measures and social connectedness. Tobit and double-hurdle analyses showed charitable giving levels and participation initially rising as the number of units per structure rises and then falling for higher density levels. Separately, a probit analysis indicated a positive association between charitable giving participation and the presence of one shared wall, as well as a smaller, but still positive, association with multiple shared walls. Social connectedness appeared to be most strongly encouraged in the “ sweet spot “ between the physical isolation of detached single-family homes and the overcrowding of very large, high-density apartment buildings.

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Notes on contributors

Russell N. James

Russell N. James, III is Assistant Professor, Department of Housing and Consumer Economics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.