Rethinking Neighborhoods
Connections and Cohesion
Published on 13. May 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
236 pages
978-1-0353-6716-0 (ISBN)
Description
Although neighborhoods are sometimes perceived as just a backdrop to our lives, there is considerable evidence that they are central to our sense of wellbeing, and in the functioning of the city. Rethinking Neighborhoods is about these areas of geography: what we know about how neighborhoods function, why they matter and how we chose where to live.
Emphasizing the importance of place, of connections, cohesion, and local attachment, William A.V. Clark argues that the relevance of the local is increasing, rather than decreasing, and examines how this informs our choices and their outcomes. Situating neighborhoods and their evolution in historical and societal context, he uses a range of international case studies to assess key issues such as residential and neighborhood search, the segregation inequality debate, the connections between neighborhoods and health, the role of planning in the localized city and the 20 minute community.
Written by one of the leading researchers in the field, this book offers a thought-provoking read to those researching and studying society at the neighborhood scale in disciplines including city and regional planning and human geography as well as demography, sociology and public policy.
Emphasizing the importance of place, of connections, cohesion, and local attachment, William A.V. Clark argues that the relevance of the local is increasing, rather than decreasing, and examines how this informs our choices and their outcomes. Situating neighborhoods and their evolution in historical and societal context, he uses a range of international case studies to assess key issues such as residential and neighborhood search, the segregation inequality debate, the connections between neighborhoods and health, the role of planning in the localized city and the 20 minute community.
Written by one of the leading researchers in the field, this book offers a thought-provoking read to those researching and studying society at the neighborhood scale in disciplines including city and regional planning and human geography as well as demography, sociology and public policy.
Reviews / Votes
'Without question, Clark draws upon his expertise and helps readers better grasp the idea that where we live has profound implications for our access to opportunities; neighborhoods are the entry points to schools, jobs, health care, and local amenities. Readers learn that where people live also determines who they interact with on a daily basis. Likewise, although it is never stated explicitly, the book does an excellent job of exploring concepts related to migration selectivity (e.g., age, education, occupation, income, socio-economic status, ethnicity, race, life stage, push/pull factors) and spatial analysis (e.g., distance decay, gravity model, central place, sorting, and cluster analysis). [...] Rethinking Neighborhoods is highly accessible, easy to read, and jargon free! The book would make for a good resource for any introductory-level college class that focuses on urban studies, migration theory, and social justice.' -- Jeffrey S. Smith, Urbana - Urban Affairs & Public Policy 'Rethinking Neighborhoods is a commendable addition to urban geography literature. It skillfully combines quantitative analysis with qualitative insights, offering a fresh, well-rounded perspective on neighborhood dynamics. The book's logical structure and inclusion of historical context enhance its appeal. An insightful and engaging read, it's highly recommended for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of urban communities.' -- Bo Malmberg, Stockholm University, Sweden 'Clark's book is one of those rare volumes that combines decades of scholarly work with a strong understanding of not only the field into which he writes but also wider issues relating to the formation, development and impact of the neighbourhood - the residential space that remains central to our lives.' -- David Manley, University of Bristol, UK 'Neighborhoods matter! Drawing on a long career of urban scholarship, this book by Bill Clark provides a fascinating review of the social science on neighborhoods: how they emerge and change, how people sort into them, and why this matters for social mobility, health, general wellbeing, and society as a whole. In the face of concern that work-from-home will reshape urban life, Rethinking Neighborhoods: Connections and Cohesion shows how neighborhoods have and will continue to be an extremely important geography for understanding society.' -- Paavo Monkkonen, University of California, Los Angeles, USMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-0353-6716-0 (9781035367160)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
William A.V. Clark, Research Professor of Geography, Faculty Affiliate of the California Center for Population Research, University of California, Los Angeles, US
Content
Contents:
Preface
PART I NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE
ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY
1 Cities and their neighborhoods - images and interpretations
2 Describing and classifying neighborhoods: differentiation
and interpretation
3 People and processes, institutions, and neighborhood change
PART II NEIGHBORHOOD SEARCH, SELECTION, AND CHOICE
4 Residential choice and residential selection
5 Sorting, segregation, and social distance
6 Social mobility and neighborhood change
PART III NEIGHBORHOODS OUTCOMES: COHESION,
HEALTH, AND WELLBEING
7 Social cohesion and neighborhood connections
8 Neighborhoods, health, and wellbeing
9 Continuity, change, and wellbeing in urban neighborhoods
References
Index
Preface
PART I NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE
ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY
1 Cities and their neighborhoods - images and interpretations
2 Describing and classifying neighborhoods: differentiation
and interpretation
3 People and processes, institutions, and neighborhood change
PART II NEIGHBORHOOD SEARCH, SELECTION, AND CHOICE
4 Residential choice and residential selection
5 Sorting, segregation, and social distance
6 Social mobility and neighborhood change
PART III NEIGHBORHOODS OUTCOMES: COHESION,
HEALTH, AND WELLBEING
7 Social cohesion and neighborhood connections
8 Neighborhoods, health, and wellbeing
9 Continuity, change, and wellbeing in urban neighborhoods
References
Index