Nexus between Social Infrastructure and Residents Wellbeing: A Review

Abstract

Social infrastructure refers to various neighborhood facilities and services which improve cohesion and participation among residents to create a livable environment. Infrastructure is crucial to the development of a vibrant city. However, it is a requisite tool for human and social capital development, as it provides response to the basic needs of individuals and the community at large. Although social infrastructure is provided at various levels, the provision at neighbourhood and urban centre’s affect the wellbeing of residents and improve community sustainability. Despite several inputs by different authors on this subject, little have been said about the link between social infrastructure and wellbeing of residents at the urban centre’s. Hence, this paper attempt to explore literature on the nexus between social infrastructure and resident’s wellbeing. The study was achieved through systematic and random review of recent and relevant literatures on social infrastructure, quality of life and wellbeing. Also theories and concept of individualism, collectivism and cognitive psychology were highlighted. The review has observed that the role of social infrastructures play on residents wellbeing cannot be over thrashed. Therefore, it is necessary for development policies in the urban place to be in tone with best global practices, geared towards improving the living standards of residents by providing an enabling environment for individual capacity building and collective social development in order to improve resident’s wellbeing.