From the Ground Up: Translating Geography into Community through Neighbor Networks

Rick Grannis

Published by Princeton University Press 2009

From the Ground Up

Translating Geography into Community through Neighbor Networks

Rick Grannis

https://doi.org/10.1515/9781400830572

Overview
Contents

About this book

Where do neighborhoods come from and why do certain resources and effects--such as social capital and collective efficacy--bundle together in some neighborhoods and not in others? From the Ground Up argues that neighborhood communities emerge from neighbor networks, and shows that these social relations are unique because of particular geographic qualities. Highlighting the linked importance of geography and children to the emergence of neighborhood communities, Rick Grannis models how neighboring progresses through four stages: when geography allows individuals to be conveniently available to one another; when they have passive contacts or unintentional encounters; when they actually initiate contact; and when they engage in activities indicating trust or shared norms and values.

Seamlessly integrating discussions of geography, household characteristics, and lifestyle, Grannis demonstrates that neighborhood communities exhibit dynamic processes throughout the different stages. He examines the households that relocate in order to choose their neighbors, the choices of interactions that develop, and the exchange of beliefs and influence that impact neighborhood communities over time. Grannis also introduces and explores two geographic concepts--t-communities and street islands--to capture the subtle features constraining residents' perceptions of their environment and community.

Basing findings on thousands of interviews conducted through door-to-door canvassing in the Los Angeles area as well as other neighborhood communities, From the Ground Up reveals the different ways neighborhoods function and why these differences matter.

Author / Editor information

Rick Grannis is assistant professor of sociology at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Reviews

"This engaging book usefully articulates the geographic constraints on the formation of neighboring relations and the centrality of child-related activities to neighboring. It presents data from innovative empirical research and will interest those working in community and urban studies."—Peter V. Marsden, Harvard University

Grannis provides neighborhood effects researchers with an important set of conceptual tools for studying and understanding the processes that shape both the lives of neighborhood residents and the strength and efficacy of the communities they form.---Liam Downey, American Journal of Sociology

While I heartily recommend this book to my colleagues in geography, spatial analysis, and travel behavior, it should be of great interest to researchers in the sociology of communities as well.---Antonio Paez, Journal of Children and Poverty

"With insight, Grannis conceptualizes neighborhoods as a chain of networks that form along predictable geographic boundaries linking local residents to one another. The data collected is extraordinarily rich and unique."—George E. Tita, University of California, Irvine

Grannis makes some major contributions in this work. . . . It is remarkable that the writing is not dull; in fact, Grannis captivates the reader with succinct, palpable writing (not in the least verbose) showcasing stories pertaining to his neighborhood data collection and using descriptive figures to summarize data. The reader cannot help but be drawn in to the text, seeing what Grannis describes.---Kyle M. Woosnam, Community Development

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Illustrations And Tables Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	ix
Prologue Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	xv
CHAPTER ONE. Neighborhoods And Neighboring Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
CHAPTER TWO. The Stages Of Neighboring Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	17
CHAPTER THREE. Reconceptualizing Stage 1 Neighboring Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	28
CHAPTER FOUR. Reconceptualizing Stage 1 Neighbor Networks Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	37
CHAPTER FIVE. Selection And Influence Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	48
CHAPTER SIX. Respondents, Interviews, And Other Data Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	59
CHAPTER SEVEN. Selecting Stage 1 Neighbors Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	73
CHAPTER EIGHT. Unintentional Encounters Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	93
CHAPTER NINE. Stage 3 Neighbors And Tertiary Streets Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	109
CHAPTER TEN. The Importance Of Neighbor Networks Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	129
CHAPTER ELEVEN. Network Influence Theory Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	148
CHAPTER TWELVE. Influence Networks In A College Town Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	162
CHAPTER THIRTEEN. Influence Networks In A Gang Barrio Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	178
CHAPTER FOURTEEN. Implications Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	192
Appendix Survey Instrument Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	201
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	207
References Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	219
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	237

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