Strengthening the Social Attachment in Disadvantaged Neighbourhoods

Abstract

This research addresses the issue of low social attachment of residents in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the Netherlands. These neighbourhoods face problems, such as high crime rates, poverty, and poor living conditions. Residents in these areas often feel disconnected from their surroundings, which can worsen issues like anonymity, reduced social cohesion and well-being of residents. While community involvement initiatives are widely believed to help increase social attachment, there is limited empirical evidence on which specific initiatives are most effective in achieving this goal. Therefore, the research question is: What can be learned from initiatives focused on community involvement and their effect on social attachment in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the Netherlands? The study employs a mixed-methods approach, including quantitative data analysis of the social attachment over the years, and qualitative interviews with key stakeholders from Utrecht Overvecht, the disadvantaged neighbourhood that was selected as a case study for this research. Key findings indicate that successful community involvement initiatives do enhance social attachment by fostering social interactions and connections among residents. However, for these initiatives to yield sustainable results, they must be regularly implemented and structurally embedded into the community. Addressing broader social issues, such as poverty and mistrust in government, is essential for residents to move beyond "survival mode" and engage more fully in community activities and participation projects. The research highlights the low trust in governmental organisations in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, and its importance of rebuilding trust between residents and governmental institutions through transparency, genuine engagement, and inclusive processes. Smaller-scale, regularly embedded projects and simultaneous efforts to tackle underlying social issues are critical for fostering strong social attachment, according to the expert interviews. The study concludes that while community involvement can significantly improve social attachment, its success is contingent on a multi-faceted approach that includes structural support and ongoing efforts in addressing broader social issues simultaneously.