Entwicklung und Analyse von Akteursnetzwerken im Quartier (Development and Analysis of Actor Networks in the Neighbourhood)

This article is about networks and network analysis in neighbourhoods and communities. It describes how neighborhood networks were examined in the research project QuartiersNETZ. The analysis referred to the actor-network theory of Bruno Latour, as "nonhumans" - such as identity-creating artifacts, visions and ideas - were included in the network maps that were developed by older adults in interviews on their neighbourhood. This allowed to understand important "human actors" as well as "non-human actors" within the neighbourhood. The interpretation patterns and stories of the elderly interview partners were interpreted, in order to retrace and understand the participation in neigbourhood networks. The chapter outlines the added value through use of qualitative network analysis, what that means for neighbourhood and network research and which benefits this entails for the practice of social work for the elderly.