Social Network Formation Through Shared Interest Communities in Urban Areas

Abstrak

This study examines the role of hobby-based communities in forming social networks within urban society through a qualitative literature review. The analysis reveals that these communities function as significant spaces for social bond formation through mechanisms of interest-based meeting, sustained interaction in shared activities, development of rituals and traditions, and provision of various forms of social support. Hobby-based communities are characterized by voluntary membership, focus on enjoyable activities, relatively flat structures, and capacity to accommodate varying levels of participation. Successful bond formation is influenced by informal leadership, interaction frequency, ability to manage diversity, and balanced use of technology. These communities contribute to identity development, interpersonal skills, mental health, and broader social capital. Sustainability requires attention to leadership regeneration, activity innovation, and resistance to excessive commercialization. The phenomenon demonstrates that amidst the decline of traditional social networks, urban populations discover new pathways to fulfill fundamental needs for connection. The study contributes to understanding how interest-based affiliations serve as alternative social structures in contemporary urban settings.