ABSTRACT
This chapter examines current evidence for the many community-based benefits–social, environmental, and economic–of connected places. These include high satisfaction for residents, happiness, social capital, social and cultural diversity, a sense of safety, housing affordability, and civic participation, among others. Connecting places contributes to repairing the state of 'car-disconnect' by rebuilding the social fabric of communities–the fabric that has been slowly but profoundly damaged by car-based infrastructure. There is a strong correlation between personal safety against crime and elements of the built environment, such as reduced setbacks, night lightings, front porches, natural surveillance, and active land use. Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) links criminology and urban design. Apart from influencing the physical health of communities, connected places encourage happy and stress-free communities. Locational disadvantage is an additional factor working against equitable access to public services such as healthcare facilities, education, shopping, and employment.
