Building Social Ties

Building “social capital”—the connections within and between social networks—is a way to help communities become stronger, safer, more nurturing, and more fun.

Active community-building not only makes us happier, but it can also be a path toward more sustainable, low-carbon living. Establishing close relationships is a key factor in promoting both well-being and long-term behavioral change.

Social scientists are finding that our behavior is heavily influenced by our friends and neighbors as well as by the pressure of “social norms” within the culture of our communities. It is the interaction of individuals—the person-to-person connection—that helps lead to long-term changes in behavior.

Discover ways that you can help reinforce the linkages among people, places, and organizations in your community.