Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Mehdi Ghorbani ¹
• Seyed Amirhossein Garakani ²
• Mina Hamidi ³
• Sajad Amiri ⁴
• Majid Rahimi ⁵

¹ Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

² Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.

³ Faculty of Governance, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

⁴ Natural Disasters Research Institute, Tehran, Iran.

⁵ Social Business Institute, University of Tehran, Karaj. Iran

Abstract

Social capital is defined as a set of relationships, networks, trust, needs, and participatory systems within a society that enables it to confront challenges and improve the living conditions of its members. This study was conducted to analyze the intra-group social capital in three villages: Eskelabad, Eslamabad Kalleh-ye Espid, and Chah-e Ahmad in Tafatan city. Given the importance of participatory management and strengthening social capital, analyzing the link between trust and participation among individuals in these villages is essential. The network analysis method was used to examine the links of trust and participation among individuals and villages of interest. The results before the project implementation showed low levels of trust, participation, cohesion, and social capital. However, after the project implementation, these indicators improved, and trust, participation, and the speed of interaction among individuals increased. The project implementation has led to increased unity and cohesion among village residents, increasing the intra-group social capital. In other words, improved communications have led to increased social welfare and the expansion of trust and participation among the residents.

Keywords

• Development and Progress Plan of Rural Systems
• Intragroup Social Capital
• Social Network Analysis
• Trust and Participation Links
• Local Communities