Can Social Capital Shorten the Social Distance of Urban Residents? Evidence From the Spatial Stratification in China

As the commodification of urban housing increases, the phenomenon of class segregation resulting from different types of housing becomes increasingly apparent. Research on the social distance between condominium owners and relocated residents contributes to understanding the social stratification logic in contemporary Chinese urban areas. Using sampled data from the 2019 China Urban Resident Living Space Survey, this study employs multiple linear regression and random forest models to explore the impact of online and offline social capital on the social distance between the two types of property ownership groups (i.e., condominium owners and relocated residents). The results show that both online and offline social capital have the potential to create new bridging social capital, facilitating heterogeneous social interactions. Additionally, online social capital effectively supplements offline social capital and significantly promotes the reduction of social distance between the two property ownership groups. Based on the study's findings, community governance should enhance the frequency and quality of interaction between condominium owners and relocated residents through offline community activities, resident organizations, and diverse online community platforms to promote social integration.