Social Imaging: Social Capital and Spatial Use Patterns with Potential Correlations

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This book summarizes a research methodology for generating maps of social dynamics for a given geographic area. Spatial and social data are analyzed to explore potential correlations applicable to new forms of social mapping at scale across cities.

Human society is constantly changing at individual and group levels. These changes generate patterns, some of which we can access informally (e.g. knowing what is popular among the people we know), and other patterns that are less easy to see such as the potential changes in social isolation or trust across a city or region. Formal observation through the collection of analyzable data increases our ability to see patterns that a single human mind unaided by digital tools would be unable to detect. Development of a social MRI for cities would lead to more effective decision making at local and policy levels and could contribute to the alleviation of suffering and inequalities.

Visualizing social capital dynamics would deepen our understanding of well-being in cities, support greater effectiveness for urban planners, and enable more useful accountability for policy that affects social impact. This would complement other health and well-being measures currently being used.