Society

Summarising the evidence on place value and social outcomes

The evidence relating to social outcomes is diverse and reliant on social scientific rather than scientific evidence with greater potential for interpretation. It powerfully reveals that better place quality delivers:

• Fewer accidents: reduced collisions and casualties on the road, and reduced fearfulness of accidents
• Social integration: reduced stratification and greater integration of social groups and larger social networks locally, with stronger social support
• Lower rates of crime: reduced burglary from homes, lower street crime, less fear of crime, and stronger perceptions of safety
• Better educational outcomes: increased child independence and positive play behaviours, and enhanced learning and educational achievement
• Enhanced street level vitality and sociability: a richer public life, enhanced social interaction, and greater longevity of urban street space use
• Stronger civic pride: an increased sense of pride, local morale, social resilience, and community life, and enhanced social capital (social and political engagement) generally
• Greater inclusiveness: enhanced use of the city by marginalised and socio-economically disadvantaged groups, greater female empowerment, and acceptance of cultural and social difference
• More enabling (rather than disabling) environments: for those in older age and for those with disabilities.