Community Culture and Civic Quality

Author: Meng Gu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: In modern society, urban culture plays a dominant role in social development. The foundation of cities is communities, and community culture is an important part of urban culture and the overall construction of social culture. The history of communities is older than that of cities, as all cities have developed on the basis of communities. The earliest urban community cultures were entirely naturally formed cultures, based on kinship, geographical proximity, and occupational ties. They reflected characteristics of homogeneous populations, similar value orientations, and relatively harmonious relationships, being very similar to modern rural community cultures. This cultural form is relatively stable, has a deep traditional heritage, and is distinctive, thus having a stronger influence on community members. However, in modern cities, many communities are formed by administrative divisions, and many newly built residential communities have been created due to urban renewal or urban-rural integration. As a result, in many modern urban communities, residents no longer have the kinship and occupational relationships found in natural communities. There is a significant difference in population quality, inconsistent value orientations, and limited interaction among residents. There is a general lack of neighborly love and friendship, as well as a sense of identity and belonging to the community. This makes the formation, maintenance, and development of community culture face considerable difficulties, and also has adverse effects on community security, environment, and services.