Vancouver is one of the most densely populated cities in North America. In 1990, less than 25% of the population lived in apartments/condominiums. Now it’s over 40% and rising.

The region’s housing needs and the desire to build more sustainable cities, means even more high-rise apartment buildings will be needed.

Overall the survey found that this type of dwelling presents unique challenges to those who live in them. The debate for Vancouver will be how to improve high-rise design and living so that more of their residents can feel connected and engaged.

These findings are from the recent Connections and Engagement: A Closer Look survey sponsored by The Vancouver Foundation.

The study investigates the woof and warp of our city’s social fabric, drawing upon the survey responses of 3,841 people across metro Vancouver.

The survey and analysis was done by Sentis Market Research and released in June 2012.

 

Key findings and quick facts

Living in a high rise can:

- Diminish neighbourliness

- Lower trust

- Make it harder to make new friends

- Increase isolation

 

Knowing your neighbours’ names

People who live in high rises — meaning apartments over five stories high — are less likely to know at least two of their neighbours’ names than people living in single detached houses.

 

Frequency of conversations with neighbours

People in high rises have fewer chats with their neighbours. And they are less likely to do small favours for their neighbours, like pick up their newspapers or mail when they are away. Of people in single detached homes 81% know their neighbours’ names

Quick facts:

45% of people living in high rises rent their apartment

76% are between the ages of 18 and 64

37% live alone, 35% live with one other person

90% have no children under the age of 12 living with them

44% have lived in their neighbourhood for under five years.

 

Neighbourhood ties

Our survey shows that the more often people talk to their neigbours, the higher the trust levels in the neighbourhood. In high rises, where people are less likely to have regular chats with neighbours or even know their neighbours’ names, the trust levels are significantly lower.

 

Loneliness and isolation

There’s also evidence that high-rise life increases isolation and loneliness. People in high rises report a higher level of loneliness and they have a harder time making new friends. These lower trust levels extend to how people in high-rises judge their neighbours’ sense of moral obligation. Fewer believe that one of their neighbours would return a lost wallet or purse to them.

 

Feeling alone

- Detached home: 22%

- High rise: 39%

 

Difficulty making friends

- Detached home: 22%

- High rise: 31%

 

Trust their neighbour

- Detached home: 60%

- High rise: 40%

 

Lost wallet would be returned to them

- Detached home: 68%

- High rise: 55%

 

Have done favour for neighbour

- Detached home: 48%

- High rise: 23%