Interesting bit about a new study that challenges one of the underlying justifications for the the present obsession with urban density. The study purports to show that people living in suburbs are actually MORE likely to have regular contact with their neighbors and be more involved in community activities.
Hard to say about this one. In our last place we remained largely anonymous, out of laziness and inertia more than anything, but the nature of the neighborhood certainly made that possible, where living in the city has given us no choice but to know the neighbors, much to our benefit. If I had to theorize, I’d say that suburbanites might be more likely to speak to one another and associate in various ways because they’re more homogeneous as a group and the chances for any particular individual to find other individuals that share their interests and circumstances (young children perhaps) is greater than in the denser city melting pot.
Marginal Revolution: The suburbs are good for your social life
November 15, 2006 at 3:48 pm
hey man-this is chris from austin-bloggers-pub.
That very interesting data to say the least. Maybe folks in the “burbs” have more in common. (kids, house etc) And maybe they have a more typical rhythm as opposed to urban dwellers who tend to be out and about more.
I dunno. Good info.