Summary and analysis on theories of social interaction and neighborhood environment in urban development in China

Neighborhood plays a vital role in enhancing social interactions in urban development both physically and functionally. Many urban theorists state their significant role as one of the principle components of a healthy urban setting. However, social interactions in neighborhoods recently started to lose significance, when they are neglected during urban planning process, or when existing neighborhoods are lost. In this paper, neighborhoods are assessed in terms of social interaction, regarding the effects of rapid urban growth on their physical and functional structure. The paper first evaluates variables which influence social integration. Then, it generates a framework that address both aspects based on the theoretical propositions about neighborhoods, as well as analysis of the existing empirical investigation on this issue.