Exploring sustainability/Social sustainability

Social sustainability has been defined by Goodman as the process which maintains social capital (2002). Social capital is created by the strength of the social networks or relationships that exist within a community. Some benefits of good social networks include happiness, health and longer life (Baker, 2000).

Social capital is built by community participation, shared rules, laws and information (Goodman, 2002). Without these things, social capital will deteriorate. Violence and social breakdown may occur if social capital becomes overly weak (Goodman, 2002).

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