Abstract
Although transportation and communication has allowed us to develop global communities outside our physical neighborhoods the physical neighborhood where we reside still impact upon our lives. “Social Geographies” addresses the importance of community to people and how it connects to the geographic location where they live. It looks into how our neighborhoods and communities help develop an individual’s sense of self.
Community and Neighborhoods
Reflection
“Community is a contested concept, frequently invoked in a variety of ways by different interest groups.” . It is not necessarily tied to the physical location where an individual resides. Communities are frequently made up of like-minded people spread out over a larger region, perhaps even globally. However, the sense of community is still integral to the neighborhood as well. “ many people still associate with particular communities in specific localities, whether they be gang territories in Los Angeles or gay spaces.” .
Communities take many different forms geographies are complex and various - they may be localized exist at other distinct spatial scales; be imagined, private or virtual.” . However, the neighborhood where a person lives constitutes one of these communities. There are people you see regularly just because you exist in the same physical locality. There is also an immediate sense of necessity born of the need to maintain the common areas in order to provide an environment conductive to the health and well-being of the individual and their family. In that sense the concept of community is built upon “ the strength of internal interactions ” is an integral factor.
“Communities are often formed or strengthened in relation to external processes and threats. Homogeneity is often assumed, and is an important means by which groups construct themselves and others as different and opposed.” . as can be seen in situations as diverse as exclusive gated communities, Belfast and the Christianshavn commune in Copenhagen. In those areas, external pressures influenced the residents to come together because of a shared sense of values and establish a close sense of community within a sharply defined geographic area. . Factors that may contribute to this can be political, religious or a result of a fear of harm from “outsiders.” In these situations, both neighborhood and community are virtually synonymous.
Works Cited
Pain, Rachael, et al. Social Geographies. n.d.
Community and Neighborhoods
Abstract
The world has grown smaller and the sense of neighborhood and community are constantly evolving as a result. However, the physical neighborhood and communities where we reside still have impact upon our lives. “The Significance of Neighborhood,” addresses the importance of geographic location on the sense of community people feel towards the area in which they reside. This article looks into how our home areas affect our lives, and how the greater communities in which we participate affect our individual identities.
Community and Neighborhoods
Reflection
Neighborhoods generally refer to a physical locations. Kerns and Parkinson, in “The Significance of Neighborhood refer to a “home area” as an area within five to ten minutes walk from home. . Within that area, people establish their identities, relax and enjoy recreation. While they may do that outside their home areas as well, the home is integral in establishing a sense of belonging, attachment and connecting with others
Communities can be made up of like-minded people spread out over a larger region, perhaps even globally as contrasted with neighborhoods, which usually still refer to a physical region. However, the sense of community is still integral to the neighborhood as well. This may be why the neighborhood is so prominent in urban policy and research. It is still relevant in a globalized world. In spite of its enduring relevance however, different people assign differing weight to its relevance depending upon their individual circumstances. .
Neighborhoods tend to exist in a series of ever widening scales; there is the home area, the locality and the urban district or rural region. Within those areas, we live in varying degrees of nearness with others. Nearness does not mean closeness; it only establishes that we will have face to face encounters with certain individuals. The result of that nearness may be close relationships or passing acquaintance. The physical nearness of residence only provides the opportunity to establish a level of closeness. . Neighborhoods are specific to the region and may offer cultural definition as well. Urban neighborhoods tend to be geographically smaller and more diverse. Interactions may take place on different levels, once again depending on the makeup of the region and the individuals residing there. Not everyone works in their neighborhood or drinks at the local pub. .
Neighborhoods tend to attract like-minded people, and are sometimes sharply defined or may be established a general environment. Factors that may influence this are the resident’s desire for a particular ambience and engagement. In that case, people select their home area carefully. However, in some cases the home area is more a matter of circumstance than of choice. Some people feel trapped in their neighborhoods by either market or bureaucratic forces. This can result in a “discrimination of place” .
Poorer neighborhoods tend to foster a greater value on the bonding form of social capital as individuals help each other get by and provide daily needs for themselves and their families. This can end up being helpful in the short term, but may result in self limiting behavior as well if it narrows a person’s sense of self and potential for opportunity. The sense of community, may be local or global, is more likely to help develop a bridging social capitol that allows people to develop broader identities. .
Works Cited
Kearns, Ade and Michael Parkenson. "The Significance of Neighborhood." Urban Studies (2001): 2013 - 2110.
