Catalysts of connection. The role of digital information and communication technology in fostering neighbourhood social cohesion: A systematic review of empirical findings

Jan Ãœblacker, Simon Liebig and Hawzheen Hamad
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Jan Ãœblacker: University of Applied Science for Housing and Real Estate, Germany
Simon Liebig: ILS, Research Institute for Regional and Urban Development, Germany
Hawzheen Hamad: University of Applied Science for Housing and Real Estate, Germany

Urban Studies, 2024, vol. 61, issue 16, 3167-3186

Abstract: Neighbourhood social cohesion is associated with a range of beneficial outcomes for residents. However, it is commonly hypothesised that neighbourhood relations face potential disruptions from digital information and communication technologies (DICT) as they are assumed to alter traditional community structures previously grounded in physical proximity. We systematically review 52 empirical studies on the relationship between DICT and neighbourhood social cohesion to determine in what ways DICT hinder or promote neighbourhood social cohesion. We found that DICT promote social cohesion by catalysing local social capital, but not for everyone and not in every neighbourhood. We propose the theoretical concept of ‘catalysts of connection’ to explain how technological affordances and online content interact with collective and individual social capital to develop various domains of social cohesion. Based on these results and our theoretical concept, we conclude that DICT exacerbate socio-spatial inequality in cities as neighbourhoods with low social capital are less likely to reap the benefits of the digital age. We provide paths for future investigations on the intersection of urban research and media and communication studies.

Keywords: digital information and communication technologies; neighbourhood; social capital; social cohesion; æ•°å­—ä¿¡æ ¯å’Œé€šä¿¡æŠ€æœ¯; 街区; 社会资本; ç¤¾ä¼šå‡ è šåŠ› (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:61:y:2024:i:16:p:3167-3186

DOI: 10.1177/00420980241281502

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