1. Intro
The weakening of social cohesion has become a common problem for the international community today. Globalization, international competition and increased social mobility on a global scale, the intensification of cultural and conflicting interests, the plurality of values, the continuing widening gap between rich and poor and the weakening role of family ties have all contributed to a gradual decline in social cohesion, and while information has made the world more connected than ever before, people have become more disconnected.The aim of this paper is to examine how social cohesion can be enhanced by increasing people’s motivation for social recognition within public spaces.
2.Question
My question is How can I enhance social cohesion by increasing people’s motivation for social approval within the public space?
3.Research Methodology
1. Documentary research method: combing the concept of public space as well as social cohesion by studying relevant papers.
2.Qualitative research:Experiments were conducted to collect and analyze data to study the association between social cohesion and public space in order to understand whether social cohesion can be improved by increasing people’s motivation for social acceptance.
4.Research
The definition of social cohesion is the extent of connectedness and solidarity among groups in society and the ability to plan for overall goals and to exercise discipline over individuals which is a very important driver of long-term prosperity and competitiveness. Cohesive societies are politically stable and focus on economic growth and business development. The rising diversities, pluralism, neoliberalism, and austerity in contemporary cities increase the need to support and enhance social cohesion. The finding revealed that the six social factors of social cohesion, namely membership attraction, perceived cohesion, participation, shared community values, social capital, and role of institutions.
Public space has been traditionally defined as a shared space that theoretically belongs to everyone and refers to a neutral ground, which is open and belongs to all. A common place for people to carry out functional or ceremonial activities, which unites people into a society no matter in daily life or festivals.（regarded as ‘everyday spaces’）Among these, streets and parks are the types of spaces that are regarded as ‘everyday spaces’ and that are familiar, frequently used and can facilitate compulsory social contact, and that are therefore considered to be the most effective at bringing diverse people together. As such, public space in its role as the bedrock of people–place interactions plays an important role in facilitating or inhibiting opportunities for social cohesiveness. The need for social approval sustains cohesive societies as well.
5.Intervention
Exploring the relationship between awareness of public space and social cohesion.
Location: Regent Park
Regent Park was chosen as the experimental site because firstly, it fits the definition of public space as mentioned above；and secondly, Regent Park has a higher pedestrian flow, making it easier to draw conclusions and green spaces of quality reduce stress and facilitate social cohesion as well.
Experimental method: Litter in the park is very detrimental to the park environment and people can avoid damaging the public space by throwing it into the litter bin.This experiment chose to prompt people that there was litter here to raise awareness of public spaces and see if anyone would pick up the litter to protect the environment.
1. Small colored flags were placed next to the litter to attract attention. Result: No one cares.
2. Put colored flags next to the litter and write a sign telling people that there is litter. Result: People stop to read the words on the flags, but do not pick up the litter.
6.Audience
People who vacillate between pleasing others and pleasing themselves.
Generally, there are three types of individuals who function in a society or group. There are:
1.“People pleasers”;
2.Those who care little for what people think of them;
3.People who vacillate between pleasing others and pleasing themselves.
Most fall into the third category.Individuals who care little about what others think are hard to change their minds because they can stay within the community if they are needed, otherwise they are very reluctant to contribute to society. The main audience for this paper therefore lies with those who want to enhance their chances of inclusion and who is likely to want to increase social approval.
7.Concluding
The flags were used to raise awareness of the need to protect public space, but people chose to ignore them, showing that the weakness of social cohesion has led to a lack of awareness of the need to protect public space.