Exploring the Concept of Socially Resilient Neigborhood through the Example of Sığacık
Project no. 23460 · Status: Kapanmış (Yayın bekleniyor) · 2022
Summary
<p>In recent years, the concept of social resilience has gained increasing significance within the context of urban studies, highlighting not only the physical resilience of cities but also the ability of communities to adapt to and recover from various social, economic, and environmental challenges. The concept of a socially resilient neighborhood refers to a residential unit with high adaptive capacity, collective action ability, and recovery potential across social, spatial, and administrative dimensions. In such neighborhoods, strong neighborly relations are maintained, common values and rituals are preserved, public spaces are actively utilized, and local communities participate in decision-making processes. The physical environment is organized to support social interactions, fostering a strong sense of place attachment among users. Additionally, elements that enhance resilience - such as social capital, volunteerism, and local cooperation - are notably strong.</p><p>This study aims to examine the social resilience of Sığacık Neighborhood, which stands out with its historical, cultural, and spatial diversity as well as its community-oriented way of life. The research evaluates multiple indicators, including the quality of the physical environment, socio-cultural relations, sense of place, and participatory governance. Qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were employed, including structured observation forms and face-to-face surveys conducted with 252 randomly selected residents aged 18 and over. The collected data were analyzed under the main categories of physical environment, socio-cultural environment, perceptual environment, and alternative approaches, adopting a holistic perspective. The findings reveal that Sığacık Neighborhood represents a strong manifestation of social resilience across its physical, social, perceptual, and governance dimensions, and possesses a high capacity for adaptation and sustainability. However, it also exhibits certain weaknesses that could threaten the long-term sustainability of its social resilience. The study concludes by proposing several strategies and recommendations aimed at enhancing the neighborhood's social resilience capacity.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Keywords:</strong> Social resilience, Socially resilient neighborhood, Sığacık Neighborhood</p>