Citation

Feinberg S. Urban Stud. 2009; 46(9): 1829-1858.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Urban Studies Journal Limited, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0042098009106014

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Community social organisation brings individuals together, providing opportunities for collective responses to perceived neighbourhood issues and concerns. This paper considers how rates of neighbourhood mortality influence levels of community organisation. Certain types of mortality may actually enhance, not disrupt, the level of social organisation. Because urban neighbourhoods experience dramatically different mortality rates, the paper examines whether the relationship between mortality and community social organisation varies based on the causes of death and the ages of those dying. Analyses from Chicago neighbourhoods suggest that the rate at which children die from preventable causes such as homicide, suicide and accidents results in an increased likelihood that residents join neighbourhood watch organisations and participate in actions to address community problems. The effect of youth mortality is shaped in part by dense network exchanges among residents.