Abstract

Reducing social harms in vulnerable urban areas requires a comprehensive approach that simultaneously emphasizes local capacities, civic participation, and institutional cooperation. In this context, cultural working groups and local social managers act as key grassroots actors who play a vital role in enhancing community resilience, identifying the real needs of neighborhoods, creating supportive networks, and empowering vulnerable groups. Drawing on the theoretical framework of social capital and employing a qualitative document analysis method, this study examines the role of these actors in mitigating social harms in disadvantaged neighborhoods.



Findings, derived from official reports, policy documents, and previous academic studies, reveal that integrated cultural and social activities based on citizen participation and collaboration with local organizations have led to reduced unemployment rates, decreased tendencies toward risky behaviors, enhanced social participation, and improved access to educational, cultural, and welfare services. Moreover, the strengthening of social capital at the neighborhood level has fostered higher public trust, reinforced local identity, and promoted a stronger sense of community belonging. Accordingly, investing in local capacities and reinforcing neighborhood-based governance can be considered an effective strategy for social and cultural policymaking in vulnerable urban areas.