Sociability—A Precursor to Social Sustainability

Abstract

Humans tend to seek out pleasant social relationships, to build kinship and to establish a sense of belonging to a social group. Sociability, as a quality, is based on the need of people to affiliate and interact with others. As suggested by a vast body of literature, fulfilling the requirements of sociability is one of the key functions of the public realm. This study builds upon research into the design of public spaces by addressing the tangible parameters of Sociability. A multi-faceted concept, Sociability is a result of a combination of factors, tangible and intangible, that brings the community together by creating spaces we move through and linger within. Sociable public spaces play host to a variety of related activities that encourages people to come together and interact, irrespective of age, ethnicity, cultural or economic disparity; thus, resonating with one of the three pillars of sustainable development, Social Sustainability. The pillar that holds the community together, Social Sustainability has associations with wide-ranging, multi-dimensional concepts, tied together by the common thread of social network. While there is a wide array of research attempting to clearly define Social Sustainability, investigations into tangible urban design parameters that would aid in realizing the aspects of Social Sustainability are still in its nascent stages. This paper draws parallels between the tangible parameters of Sociability of the public realm and the sub-themes of Social Sustainability, hence establishing that achieving Sociability takes us one step closer towards enabling Social Sustainability.