A tale of two communities: The relationship between community development, community health, and social capital

This dissertation examines the complex relationship between community revitalization, social capital, and community health and vitality in two case-study communities on Chicago's south and west sides. The dissertation argues that the promise of reinvestment in two formally divested urban communities also represents the promise of gentrification, displacement, and the loss of affordable housing. What is most interesting about these two cases is that despite undergoing differential paths of neighborhood change, the dissertation argues that in the end they will arrive at the same destination---the widespread displacement of incumbent residents and the large-scale loss of affordable housing, though at somewhat different rates of speed. The paths taken toward development seem to either mitigate or exacerbate the speed and quantity of displacement and the loss of affordable housing, but not to eliminate their occurrence. The dissertation argues, for example, that the 'people-orientation' demonstrated in early revitalization projects in North Lawndale was based on a supply of a type of social capital (bonding capital) that was not in large supply in Woodlawn. In Woodlawn, where the supply of social capital was predominantly of the 'bridging' type, a 'place-orientation' was established from the outset of Woodlawn's reinvestment. The significance of urban policy at the federal, state, and local levels is also examined as part of a broader argument that Neoliberal urban policy has encouraged gentrification and the loss of affordable housing, with very little concern for those displaced. In examining these two models of community development, this dissertation identifies the ecological characteristics and mechanisms that affect community health status and efficacy in development.;This research draws upon data from a variety of sources. Participant observation of case study communities was carried out for more than three years. Participant observation was supplemented with an ongoing review of various documents including: the minutes of community gatherings, advertisements of special events, and over 200 newspaper articles. Lastly, community-level secondary data from: the Census the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act/Community Reinvestment Act (HMDA/CRA); the Chicago Association of Realtors; the City of Chicago Departments of Public Health, Buildings, Planning, and Public Schools were also used.