Differing levels of social capital and mental health in suburban communities in Australia: did social planning contribute to the difference?

The article draws on our examination of the connections between location, health and social capital in four socio-economically contrasting areas in South Australia. Our third ranking socio-economic area often equalled or scored better on some social capital and mental health variables than the higher ranking area. We examined whether these findings may be explained by the quality of social planning some 20 years earlier. Our case study confirmed that the integration of social and physical planning based on best practice had, on the balance of evidence, contributed to the better than expected performance of one of the less advantaged suburbs.