Using entrepreneurial social infrastructure to understand smart shrinkage in small towns
Using entrepreneurial social infrastructure to understand smart shrinkage in small towns
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DOI：
10.1016/j.jrurstud.2018.10.001
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发表时间：
2018-11
影响因子：
5.1
通讯作者：
David J. Peters;Sara Hamideh;Kimberly E Zarecor;M. Ghandour
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
David J. Peters;Sara Hamideh;Kimberly E Zarecor;M. Ghandour
北美的人口流失问题通常被视为最好通过促进增长的经济发展努力来解决。在欧洲，另一种观点认为，人口减少是一个需要妥善管理的过程，在维持社会公平的同时，减少社区服务和基础设施。这种方法被称为智能收缩，认为地方可以失去人口，但仍然拥有高质量的生活。我们首先澄清的概念，区分聪明的输出，从它的输入使用企业家的社会基础设施框架。其次，我们使用1994年和2014年收集的纵向数据，将智能收缩概念应用于中西部爱荷华州的n = 98个小城镇。收缩是以比平均速度更快的人口损失来衡量的;而聪明的结果是以比平均速度更快的生活质量提高来衡量的。然后，我们使用人口统计学，经济，社会资本和公民参与指标来研究智能收缩的相关性。人口和地理因素对智能收缩的影响很小。智能城镇拥有更强大的当地劳动力市场，更低的贫困和不平等，以及商品生产部门的就业机会。最后，聪明的收缩城镇表现出更高的社会基础设施，拥有更多的桥接社会资本跨不同群体，更大量的连接社会资本，如在当地组织的成员资格，并通过参与当地项目的频繁公民参与。这些活动得到了开放、宽容和支持的社区文化的支持。
Population loss in North America is often viewed as a problem best addressed through economic development efforts promoting growth. In Europe, an alternative view sees depopulation as a process needing to be managed properly, by scaling down community services and infrastructure while maintaining social equity. Called smart shrinkage, this approach argues places can lose population yet still possess a high quality of life. We first clarify the concept by distinguishing the outputs of smartness from its inputs using the entrepreneurial social infrastructure framework. Second, we apply the smart shrinkage concept to n = 98 small towns in the Midwestern state of Iowa using longitudinal data collected in 1994 and 2014. Shrinkage is measured by faster than average population loss; and smart outcomes by faster than average quality of life gains. We then examine correlates of smart shrinkage using demographic, economic, social capital, and civic engagement indicators. Demographic and geographic factors have little impact on smart shrinkage. Smart towns have stronger local labor markets, lower poverty and inequality, and job opportunities in goods-producing sectors. Lastly, smart shrinking towns exhibit higher social infrastructure by possessing more bridging social capital across diverse groups, greater quantities of linking social capital such as memberships in local organizations, and frequent civic engagement by participation in local projects. These activities are supported by a community culture of openness, tolerance, and support.