We are delighted to introduce a new video from our ‘CIMR Research in Video’ Series with our CIMR member Dr. Luca Andriani, Senior Lecturer in Economics at Birkbeck University of London, to discuss his recent research on “Civic engagement and socio-economic proximity in urban areas.”
You can watch the full video interview here:
During the interview, we asked Luca a few questions to discover his research topic, findings, audience and learn more about what inspired this research:
What is the paper about?
The recent paper titled “Civic engagement and socio-economic proximity in urban areas” published in the Journal Spatial Economic Analysis that I have co-authored with Dr Andrea Filippetti (from the Italian National Research Council) and Dr Pier Paolo Angelini (from the Research Group of the Analysis of Economic Policy in Rome) explores the topic of Civic Engagement, which refers to people’s involvement in voluntary activities.
By looking at the three biggest Italian cities (Milan, Rome and Naples) in this study we investigate whether living very close to people with different income and education levels affects someone’s decision to get involved in community and voluntary activities.
How did the idea for the research came about?
The idea for this research came from the importance to understand why some people are more interested in being involved in their community. It’s key for a democratic society to have people embracing values of civic spirit, inclusiveness, and getting along with others. However, in recent years, social scientists, looking at well-established democratic countries, have noticed a clear decline in civic engagement, particularly in big cities.
We also know that having different backgrounds and experiences can make a community stronger and more innovative. But sometimes, these differences can also create tensions and cause people to separate themselves from others who are different. For example, socio-economic factors like income and education can influence people’s preferences, habits, and how they relate with others. Therefore, we wanted to study how living in diverse communities, like big cities in Italy, affects people’s tendency to be engaged in voluntary activities.
Which are the research key findings?
Our study showed some interesting outcomes. Firstly, we looked at where people with different incomes and education levels live in the three cities. We found that in the central areas, people with higher incomes and education tend to live near others who are similar to them.
Secondly, when we looked at civic engagement, we found that this is spread out across different neighborhoods without concentrating in one specific area. However, Naples was an exception because the central part of the city close to the sea had more people involved in community activities.
Thirdly, we investigated how living near people with different levels of income and education affected someone’s likelihood of being civically engaged. We found that when someone lives near people who are different from them in terms of income and education, they are less likely to be engaged in community activities.
Additionally, our study showed that people who trust their fellow citizens more are more likely to be involved in voluntary activities. We also found that older individuals tend to be more engaged in voluntary work, but there is a slight decrease in involvement as they get considerably older. Furthermore, individuals who attended private schools are less likely to engage in community activities.
Lastly, when we compare the three cities, we found that living in Naples, which has a lower average income, increases the chances of being civically engaged. This goes against some studies on social capital, but it aligns with research showing that when people in a community rely on each other for economic resources, they tend to help and support each other more.
In Naples, for example, the labor market relies on informal networks and social connections, which creates a strong interdependence among its citizens.
Who can these findings be useful to?
These findings are important for different groups of people. First, policymakers and community organizations can use this information to think about how they plan cities and neighborhoods. They need to make sure that diversity doesn’t lead to separation but instead promotes inclusiveness. It’s important to find a balance between the positive effects of diversity, like economic growth and innovation, and the challenges that can come with it, like social tensions.
These findings also show that people’s behaviors are influenced by the characteristics of the communities where they live. When people share similar norms and feel like they belong to the same community, there is more social cohesion. Moreover, diversity can actually be a driving force for economic growth because it encourages creativity and innovation. Thus, policies that promote integration, tolerance, investment in public services, and reducing inequalities are essential in diverse urban environments.
In summary, these findings can help policymakers, community organizations, and society as a whole to understand the importance of creating inclusive communities and designing policies that support diversity while addressing social challenges.
We would like to thank again Dr Luca Andriani for this opportunity to delve into the influence of living near individuals with varying income and education levels on one’s participation in community and voluntary activities.
Visit our YouTube channel to watch more videos from our ‘CIMR Research in Brief’ series!