New Urbanism may result in diverse neighborhoods, but not necessarily in diverse social interactions

June 26, 2023 (last updated on October 20, 2023)

Joseph F. Cabrera & Jonathan C. Najarian, "Can New Urbanism Create Diverse Communities?", Journal of Planning Education and Research 33 (2013): 4

Abstract (comprehensive): This article examines the differences in diversity between a new urbanist subdivision and a standard suburban subdivision. We examine diversity at the macro level in terms of demographic characteristics such as age, sex, and income. We then examine diversity at the micro level, using a network sample to analyze diversity at the level of the social interaction. We find at the macro level that the new urbanist community is more diverse in a number of factors including education, income, and especially age. However, we find this increased diversity does not translate to diverse social interactions at the micro level.

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