Introduction

Social capital has become one of the influential concepts in the social sciences for explaining the collective action, educational and economic outcomes, and the performance of public institutions and governance. Since the 1990s, social capital has become an important concept for explaining the relationship between social capital and the performance of public organizations, particularly in terms of the effects of existing stocks of social capital on efficiency, accountability, and the quality of governance. However, an important question remains: How is social capital produced or eroded, and what factors play a role in this process?

Method

Using a documentary method and a critical review of the theoretical and empirical literature, this article re-examines the relationship between social capital and the institutional performance of urban governance. Drawing on the emerging literature on “social infrastructure” and transformations in the paradigms of public administration, it argues that social capital should not be regarded merely as a resource existing within society and independent of governance performance.

Findings

Social infrastructure, in its contemporary conceptualization, plays an important role in facilitating everyday social interactions, the formation of ties, trust, cooperation, and citizen participation. Research indicates that such infrastructure can contribute to strengthening social resilience. Given its emphasis on citizen participation and collaboration, the governance paradigm requires social infrastructures that can facilitate interaction and cooperation among citizens and between citizens and public institutions.

Conclusion

The article ultimately emphasizes the importance of social infrastructure for the production of social capital and urban development. Parks, Community Centers, libraries, social and cultural centers, public spaces, social enterprises, and other places and spaces that enable contact and interaction among diverse individuals and groups should not be regarded merely as urban facilities or amenities; rather, they should be understood as part of the social capacity of the city. The article concludes by proposing a set of policy recommendations, including the development of a National Social Infrastructure Policy and its annual monitoring alongside the assessment of social capital.