An urban pattern that facilitates and promotes more walking perforce promotes and facilitates more social interaction. More social interaction should lead to a greater amount of social capital or social cohesion. Networks of mutual assistance on a neighborhood scale can only occur where there is interaction. Interaction is likely to be less in car-dependent neighborhoods than walkable neighborhoods. Where people can walk to the corner store or coffee shop, they are much more likely to frequently encounter their neighbors, and know  more about the details of the lives. For instance, who might need assistance making it to a shelter or evacuating. Little research is available but sorely needed on this specific topic.