Central Arizona–Phoenix Long Term Ecological Research

This study investigates the relationship between social connections and collective civic action. Measuring social capital in eight Phoenix, Arizona, neighborhoods allowed the authors to determine that individuals with strong social bonding (i.e., association and trust among neighbors) are more likely to take civic action. However, while social capital lessens the relationship between an individual’s social status and the likelihood of taking action, it does not eliminate the positive relationship. The analysis also suggests that bonding and bridging are distinct forms of social capital that have some different antecedents

Annual changes in the amount and location of residential fringe development in metropolitan Phoenix are tracked from 1990 to 1998 using local records of housing completions. New development covered a wide geographic area in 1990 but became more geographically concentrated with time. Metropolitan Phoenix is organized into five belts: (1) an outer rural zone, (2) an area of pioneer settlement where the construction of single-family housing began in 1990, (3) a peak zone of intensive development, (4) a zone of infill, and (5) a built-up area where little new construction occurs. Multiple-family housing construction occurs primarily in the infill zone. Between 1995 and 1998, new home construction moved outward at the pace of almost one-half mile per year to an average distance of 18.94 miles from the metropolitan center. Planners can use information about the size, shape, type, and timing of urban fringe development to anticipate infrastructure and service needs.