DESCRIPTION
This system consists of the elements making up the public realm and their role in the function of our communities.


SOCIAL FUNCTIONS

Interaction: by interacting—looking into someone elses eyes, talking about issues of mutual concern, asking about their well-being—we are making society possible. We build trust and begin to find ways to work together in order to achieve broader social goals.

Social cohesion: ways for people to come together and identify themselves as aligned with a certain set of values and activities, connecting them to their affinity groups (political parties, clubs, sports leagues, religious movements, and even groups on social media websites like Facebook).

Acceptance/inclusion: these are the bonds that allow us to see beyond people who look like us, talk like us, and have our educational background. They allow us to create humane, empathetic bonds that, in turn, encourage us to help those less fortunate than us, appreciate the differences around us, and honor the cultural traditions of different communities.

Commerce / work: building, exchanging, providing community services, designing, manufacturing—each of these are ways to give back to society. Our work need not be paid—volunteer efforts, raising a family, and senior citizen service are work that help us all. But work has other benefits: it allows us to take care of our families, purchase food, provide shelter, and help those less fortunate all through the trading of money and resources.

Governance: the governance systems define the success or failure of all of the other social functions through regualtions, incentives, education, transparency and citizen empowerment.

Recreation / Play: running, jumping, even supporting a team, are all ways that we play and, in the best instances, our play helps us relieve stress, improve fitness, and create bonds across socio-economic groups and cultures. recreation is part of skill development and establishment of social order and cohesion.

Cultural expression: the ability to share the values that are important to us through a variety of cultural expressions. Whether visual arts, music, or dance, these manifestations are often powerful expressions of our values.

Trust-building


PERFORMANCE METRICS

Increased economic activity: there are various measures of economic activity: gross national product, un-employment numbers, inflation rates. Recent research has shown that land values, consumer spending and local economic resilience are all effected positively in communities that invest in their urban green infrastructure.

Psychological well-being: while diminished phychological well-being may relate to the measures of our economic prosperity, it can also indicate a lack of physical activity, or a lack of access to nature or, damage to one’s self-esteem due to income inequalities. The psychological well-being is, in significant ways, correlated to the quality and frequency of our interactions with others.

Obesity rates: as an overall indicator of the health aspects of the social system, obesity rates are a good stand in for a host of other long-term chronic diseases like hypertension, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.

Information sharing: from a great education system to open-source sharing of government information, it is an important indicator about the openness, innovation and transparency of the social system.

Equity: reseach is showing is that inequities don’t just hurt underserved populations. Across the developed countries, the greater the income disparities the more social problems appear, like decreased life expectancy, low math and literacy scores, high infant mortality, numerous homicides, high imprisonment rates, teenage births, low trust, high obesity rate, mental illness and addictions and low social mobility (all measured in what R. Wilkinson and K.Pickett call the “Index of Health and Social Problems” in their book The Spirit Level).

Food security: the World Health Organization (WHO) defines food security as “when all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life.” There are three ways that food security is assessed: 1. Food availability: sufficient quantities of food available on a consistent basis. 2. Food access: having sufficient resources to obtain appropriate foods for a nutritious diet. 3. Food use: appropriate use based on knowledge of basic nutrition and care, as well as adequate water and sanitation.

Access to healthcare: In the United States, much of the discussion in late 2009 and the early part of 2010 revolved around access to healthcare. There were many questions asked. One was "How much should the Federal Government get involved in an issue that may be better handled by the States?" Another was "Is access to healthcare a right guaranteed under our Constitution?" There were many more; enough to keep the Federal Court System busy for years. Much of the discussion that was held was outside the realm of UGI. One thing that came out of the discussion was the disparity between various groups (sex, age, color, economic class, ethnicity, etc...) when it comes to access to quality, affordable healthcare. Yet this is a key social interaction that affects us all. We all have sit in waiting rooms eagerly anticipating seeing a medical professional (doctor, nurse practitioner, chiropractor, etc...). Disease seems to show little, if any, regard for social class.

The number and diversity of activities that people can enjoy outside--throw a frisbee, lunch with friends, garden, etc.
Increase in social cohesion; increased sense of community;
Adjacent property values or adjacent rents;
Connectivity;
Equality, equitability, diversity, violence reduction, educational approach, accessibility to public art

CASE STUDIES: PLANNING AND POLICY

CASE STUDIES: HIGH PERFORMANCE LANDSCAPES

SOCIAL SYSTEM RESOURCES
The human-scale reawakening of America's urban parks, Seattle Times, Sept. 6, 2009
Active Design Guidelines from New York City