ABSTRACT
Public policies to generate more community participation take up different forms in various places, but often share three elements linked to popularized versions of social capital theory. Firstly, high poverty neighbourhoods tend to be viewed as having social capital that is supportive, but not of the 'bridging type' and not providing the 'right' type of role-models. Whereas Alexandra M. Curley approaches the spatiality of social capital through looking at poor people after relocating, this chapter first looks at the workings of social capital for poor women in a deprived part of a mixed neighbourhood, and zooms in on bridging ties across race and class. Secondly, economically and racially diverse neighbourhoods are expected to facilitate the development of diverse and productive networks and networks to be profitable. Thirdly, spatially organized social capital is expected to enhance the liveability of neighbourhoods. After all, social capital can improve cooperation in a group and make their collective actions more efficient.
