Sense of place and social capital in community centers : the role of the physical environment
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[EMBARGOED UNTIL 12/01/2025] While previous studies address the social viability of community centers, research has been scarce on the physical design and spatial quality of these "third places" contributing to social factors. Hence, this study explored how the physical environment of an essential third place--community centers--fostered the feelings of connectedness to place and the development of social capital for its users. Four research questions guided this study: (1) What design features attract patrons to the community center and why? (2) How does the environment of the community center support the psychological processes of place identity, place attachment, place dependence, and place satisfaction? (3) How does the environment of the community centers support the ways in which users develop a sense of community, social networks, neighboring, trust, reciprocity, and cooperation? (4) What is the relationship of the process of developing satisfaction of place to the process of developing social capital in the context of the physical environment of community centers? For this study, sense of community, social networks, and neighboring were considered the dimensions of social capital. The dimensions for sense of place were place identity, place attachment, place dependence, and place satisfaction. Conducted in two regional community centers in a diverse metropolitan area of a southern state, this qualitative multi-case study included 34 semi-structured interviews, observations, and photographic documentation as methods. Participants were primarily female, African Americans, and over 55, providing unique perspectives and adding depth and richness to the study. Results showed that physical attributes influence place identity, place attachment, place satisfaction, and sense of community. Aspects of cleanliness, safety and security, openness and transparency, natural lighting, adequate spaces, and furniture and fixtures were essential considerations for users. Physical and social factors were inextricably linked. Place attachment was related to all dimensions of social capital, and sense of community was related to all dimensions of sense of place. Implications of findings contribute to the design of community centers and the literature on African American seniors' participation. The study brought to the forefront how the design and quality of the built environment support the development of social capital and sense of place.
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Ph. D.