Social Infrastructures
Andrés Walliser, Complutense University of Madrid
Definition
In general, social infrastructure refers to the spaces, institutions, and services that facilitate social interaction, community well-being, and social cohesion. This aspect includes libraries, parks, community centres, schools, public transportation, hospitals, and other spaces where people can gather, interact, and build relationships. Social infrastructure is key to strengthening the social fabric and fostering resilient communities.
According to Eric Klingenberg, in his book Palaces for People (2018), social infrastructures are defined as:
“The physical and organizational spaces that shape the way people interact. It is the infrastructure that fosters human connections and strengthens communities.”
Klingenberg argues that social infrastructure not only improves the quality of life but is also essential to addressing social problems such as inequality, isolation, and polarization.
Background information and contemporary debate
Klingenberg has generated a broad debate around the importance of social infrastructure in contemporary societies. The author argues that investing in social infrastructure can be an effective solution to problems such as loneliness, social fragmentation, and inequality. This has led to debates about whether governments and institutions are sufficiently prioritizing this type of investment over more traditional infrastructure, such as roads or commercial buildings.
In Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago (1995), the author analyses how social infrastructure can save lives in crises, such as natural disasters. For example, he mentions how neighbourhoods with strong social infrastructure (such as libraries or community centres) tend to be more resilient to extreme events. This has generated debates about how to plan more resilient cities in the context of climate change, as well as new propositions for more livable cities, such as the 15-Minute City or the City of Care.
Social infrastructures contribute to fighting inequality and make neighbourhoods more integrated. The lack of social infrastructure in disadvantaged communities perpetuates inequality. This has led to discussions about the need for public policies that guarantee equitable access to these spaces. A good example is public libraries, which inspired the title of the book Palaces for People.
As with the concept of third places (Oldenburg, 1989), social infrastructure spaces can serve as “neutral grounds” where people from different backgrounds and political perspectives can interact and form connections. This has sparked debates about whether these spaces can truly overcome political divides in highly polarized societies.
In short, Palaces for People has brought the importance of social infrastructure to the forefront of the debate as an essential component for building stronger, more resilient, and equitable communities. It has also raised questions about how to fund it, prioritize it, and ensure universal access in an increasingly unequal world.
References
Klinenberg, E. (2003). Heat wave: A social autopsy of disaster in Chicago. University of Chicago Press.
Klinenberg, E. (2018). Palaces for the people: How social infrastructure can help fight inequality, polarization, and the decline of civic life. Crown Publishing Group.