HERE IS WHAT SCIENCE SAYS

+ SOCIAL ISOLATION IN INNER CITY HIGH-RISE

Chile et al. (2014) [41] indicate that a low level of social contact with other members of a community is the main factor that creates social isolation for inner-city high-rise apartment residents. 

+ 1 IN 2 AUSTRALIANS FEELING MORE LONELY SINCE COVID-19

Recent research conducted by Swinburne University reveals that 1 in 2 Australians report feeling more lonely since COVID-19. 

+ SOCIAL ISOLATION CONTRIBUTES TO MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS

Social isolation in itself is shown to be an important factor that contributes to mental health problems of high-rise dwellers.

+ SOCIAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL OUTCOMES ARE WORSE IN HIGH-RISE

Social and psychosocial outcomes are often worse in high-rise, particularly frequency of contact with neighbours and a number of aspects of control and recuperation at home. 

+ HIGH-RISES CREATE SILOS, BOTH PHYSICAL, SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL

High-rises diminish people’s participation in public spaces and therefore diminish propinquity (Propinquity can mean physical proximity, a kinship between people, or a similarity in nature between things). High-rises literally create silos, both physical, social and psychological. 

+ HIGH-RISE LIVING ENVIRONMENTS CAN RESULT IN SOCIAL ISOLATION 

Previous studies conclude that high-rise living environments can result in social isolation, social annoyance and anonymity for their residents.

+ INTERACTING WITH NEIGHBOURS COULD INCREASE PEOPLE’S HAPPINESS, HEALTH AND WELL-BEING 

Interacting with neighbours such as exchanging interests or small conversations could increase people’s happiness, health and well-being [4]. 

+ SOCIAL INTERACTION SUPPORTS THE PRIMARY PROCESS IN DEVELOPING NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMUNITIES 

Social interaction provides residents with information about their fellow neighbours and the social structure of the community, and therefore supports the primary process in developing neighbourhood communities [38]. 

+ SOCIAL INTERACTION COULD DECREASE THE FEELING OF LONELINESS

With a certain level of social interaction, people can have the feeling of being socially integrated and this could decrease the feeling of loneliness [40].