Social Ecology of South Commons. Final Report on Work Completed for the Office of Child Development, Planning Grant OCD-CB-486 (6/1/73-3/3/74).

The purpose of this research is to determine if it is possible to build an inner-city community with socioeconomic and racial mix and have it work. The findings from a study carried out in the Near Southside Chicago community of South Commons, built in the late 50's are presented. Methodology included informal conversations, interviews with adult residents of all income levels and ethnicities, and observation of children. Findings show that inner group conflict is a function of class difference rather than race, and physical design and landscaping reflect such differences and exacerbate them; and that the school is fundamentally pivotal to interaction and community organization because as a sociophysical institution it has the quality of bringing together rich and poor. Four hypotheses for further work emerge from the study. Among these are that persons moving into a community out of desire to live in a mixed setting would be more committed to the specifically attracting features, and that institutions directly affecting children are fundamental to community stability and cohesion. (Author/RM)