From parks and libraries to pubs and schools, social infrastructures are the everyday places that bring people together, support community life and foster connection. As interest in the concept grows, this timely and accessible edited collection offers a comprehensive overview of social infrastructure—its origins, development and practical impact. Packed with innovative case studies from the UK, Europe, Australia and the US, it highlights how these shared spaces can shape urban life and wellbeing. Featuring contributions from leading scholars, the book provides a vital framework for understanding and researching places that support social connection in an increasingly fragmented world.
Alan Latham is Professor of Human Geography at University College London.Jack Layton is Place Impact and Research Manager in the Institute for Community Studies at The Young Foundation.
Part I: Introductions1. Social Infrastructure in Neighbourhoods and Cities - Alan Latham and Jack Layton2. Introducing the Concept of Social Infrastructure - Alan Latham and Jack LaytonPart II: The Spaces of Social Infrastructure3. Public Libraries - Angelina Göb and Peter Dirksmeier4. Parks - Liza Griffin and Kay Pallaris5. Public Squares - Hannah Widmer6. Schools - Beth Perry, Lee Crookes and Arbourthorne Writers7. Coworking Spaces - Irene Manzini 8. Pubs, Cafes, Bars - Regan Koch and Alan Latham9. Allotments - Liz CoxPart III: The Social Life of Social Infrastructure10. Civic Organising - Lindsay Campbell, Erika Svendsen, Michelle Johnson and Laura Landau11. Pick-up Sports - David Trouille and Michael Deland12. Social Networks - Alasdair Jones13. Older People - Sophie Yarker14. Youth Social Infrastructure - Luke BillinghamPart IV: Making Social Infrastructure15. Play Streets - Alison Stenning16. Designing Space for Teen Girls - Olivia Theocharides-Feldman and Julia King17. Walkability of Streets - David Prytherch18. The Making, Unmaking and Remaking of Social Infrastructure - Dimitrios Panayotopoulos-Tsiros, Maeve Blackman, Florence Sutcliffe-Braithwaite, Lucy Natarajan, Myfanwy Taylor and John TomaneyPart V: Social Infrastructure and Public Issues19. Responses to COVID-19 - Gesine Tuitjer, Leonie Tuitjer and Anna-Lisa Müller20. Low Traffic Neighbourhoods - Ersilia Verlinghieri, Asa Thomas, Rachel Aldred and Harrie Larrington-Spencer21. Changing Use of Libraries - Salene Schloffel-Armstrong22. Social Infrastructures After Disaster - David Conradson23. Social Infrastructure and Policymaking - Owen GarlingPart VI: Conclusions24. The Future of Social Infrastructure Research - Alan Latham and Jack Layton25. Afterword - Eric Klinenberg and Matthew Wolfe
'Want to know more about social infrastructure? Look no further. This well-edited book introduces the concept, providing a helpful overview of its emergence and usage across the social sciences.' Kevin Ward, University of Manchester