The Effect of Built Environment on Neighborhood Relations in the Context of Social Interaction

Abstract

Social psychology is the scientific study of how people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. As a subbranch of social psychology, environmental psychology is primarily interested in the interaction between humans and the built and natural environment. Its aim is to gain a better understanding of the relationship between human behavior and the physical environment. Nowadays, cities have a significant impact on human behavior as places where most people live. Considerable changes have been experienced in people's living spaces in recent decades. High-rise housing and gated-communities commonly take part in cities. The aim of this study is to understand how the environment influences neighborhood relations. In the field study, 11 selected sample areas in Konya (Turkey) are analyzed. Each sampling area has a different urban pattern. Individual, structured interviews including open-ended questions were conducted among a random sample of 114 respondents. The study shows urban pattern has significant effects on neighborhood relations, solidarity and social ties. Social relations are strong in areas with detached houses. However, in areas with high-rise buildings social relations are weaker, furthermore most of the neighbors do not know or interact with each other. In gated communities selected for this study, mostly high blocks are separated with wide openings between them. Although these semi-public spaces seem to be opportunities for social relations, they are not used as much as anticipated. Besides these factors, walkability affects social relations. People are more likely to meet neighbors when walking whereas underground parking solutions decrease people's interaction with their environment.