Assessing the Impact of Social Capital on Urban Resilience to Manage Natural and Human Risks the Case Study of Rasht City

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Tehran Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Geography, Zanjan University, Faculty of Humanities, Zanjan, Iran

Abstract

A B S T R A C T
Social capital increases the resilience of society against environmental changes. Logical relationships between social actors and effective social norms help residents share resources and information when urban crises occur. Studies have shown that appropriate social capital in communities is a vital factor for empowerment, adaptation and reduction of destructive effects when environmental hazards occur. In this regard, the main goal of the research is to investigate the role of social capital in the resilience of urban areas when natural and human crises occur, which was done with the documentary method, survey (field finder). The statistical population includes the households of Rasht City. The sample size is 384 people based on Cochran's formula and the research sampling method is a multi-stage cluster. The validity of the research tool was checked by confirmatory factor analysis and expert panel and its reliability was checked by Cronbach's alpha test at 0.802. Data analysis tools are SPSS and Lisrel 8.80 software. The findings of the measurement model have shown that there is a statistically significant relationship between the underlying factors and their corresponding indicators, and factor loading values higher than 0.5 and t values higher than 1.96 were obtained; Therefore, the items of each factor have been measured correctly and accurately. Also, the findings of the structural model in line with examining the questions and testing the hypotheses show the impact of social capital on urban resilience (Beta=0.53; T=7.39) and also the impact of social capital on the sustainable management of urban risks (Beta=0.64; T=7.66). T = 7). Meanwhile, it was found that urban resilience has a mediating role in the relationship between social capital and sustainable management of urban risks; So the results of the Sobel test with a value of 4.6533 have confirmed this finding.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
When the negative consequences of disasters are not properly managed, crises occur. Natural disasters occur more frequently as a result of population growth, industrialization, climate change, and development. With the development process around the world, people are being forced to live in high-risk areas of high vulnerability, areas whose environment is not of high quality. In this regard, efforts have been made to reduce the risk of crisis by using various programs in the world. When a crisis occurs, not only are buildings and infrastructure destroyed, but many deficiencies occur in people's lives and have detrimental effects. Social capital enhances society's resilience to environmental change. Logical relationships between social actors and effective social norms help residents share resources and information when urban crises occur. Studies have shown that proper social capital in societies is vital in empowering, adapting, and mitigating the adverse effects of environmental hazards.
 
 Methodology
This research is of applied type and compiled by descriptive-analytical and survey methods. The study's statistical population was the citizens of Rasht and the statistical sample has included 384 using Cochran's formula. A multi-stage cluster sampling method has been used in this research. The research instrument was a questionnaire created by the researcher, and its validity was determined using expert opinions and confirmatory factor analysis, as well as its reliability using the Cronbach's alpha method. In order to observe the normal distribution in the discussion of the validity of the questionnaire, the opinions of 45 experts in the field of social capital and urban sustainability and resilience were used. Also, the total reliability of the questionnaire was calculated to be 0.802. Using the SPSS and LISREL 8.80 software, data analysis was performed using
 
confirmatory factor analysis and confirmation path analysis models.
 
Results and discussion
The measurement model results showed a statistically significant relationship between the present factors and their corresponding indices, with factor loadings higher than 0.5 and T values ​​greater than 1.96. The structural model findings also show the impact of social capital on urban resilience (T = 7.39 Beta = 0.53) as well as the impact of social capital on sustainable urban hazard management (T = 7.66 Beta = 0.64). If promoted and respected in social capital societies, it can serve as an informal aid in mitigating the effects of the crisis and increasing productivity; this can be accomplished by first recognizing the type of crisis, recognizing temporary habitation, and receiving warnings. In addition, the existence of social capital creates a kind of peace of mind that we rarely see in times of crisis. Solidarity, cohesion, and mutual cooperation place local individuals and groups at the center of crisis operations and facilitate the establishment of a sustainable social network. Close neighborly relations, ethnic and religious solidarity, the spirit of hospitality, and helping others in the community of Rasht have increased the role of social capital in reducing the devastating effects of crises and citizens' resilience to disasters, and this crisis management approach is easier. When the authors distributed the questionnaire to the public, they encountered numerous memories of volunteers and acknowledged the critical role of these aids in improving the city's situation during and after the crisis.
 
Conclusion
Urban disaster management has a special place in general Iranian society and Rasht in particular. The city of Rasht has faced dangers in recent years, including continuous rains, heavy snow, road flooding, and earthquakes. In the crisis management cycle in these situations, many factors are effective that in this study, the role of social capital in this management process is considered. A review of the theoretical literature and research background shows that social capital is one of the ways to reduce social problems and a factor for the success of crisis management programs and promote economic and social resilience of cities. The present study investigates the validity of research items and indicators using confirmatory factor analysis.  The effect of social capital on urban resilience and, in a way, on urban crisis management has been confirmed in many studies. In this research, social capital with dimensions such as social trust, social cohesion, participation, etc. have been studied. All of these studies have emphasized the crucial role of social capital in reducing casualties and financial losses, rapid return to optimal conditions, reconstruction and rehabilitation, preparedness and prevention of various crises; without these informal and prompt assistances, crisis management has faced many problems.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.

Keywords

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Sustainable city
Volume 5, Issue 2
August 2022
Pages 75-92

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