Neighbourhood Restructuring: Effects on Crime and Community Safety

• In Event: The Effects of Place-Based Physical Features on Crime

Abstract

Previous research has established that physical settings can either promote (sociopetal) or discourage (sociofungal) positive social interactions. In social housing projects, typically characterized by concentrated poverty, overcrowding, and high levels of crime and violence, spaces which promote positive social interactions may be especially important to fostering a sense of ownership and therefore, a sense of responsibility over the community. Such feelings are particularly critical to the exertion of informal social control, primarily in terms of preventing crime and otherwise disorderly behaviour. In examining Canada’s oldest and largest social housing project –Regent Park– currently undergoing neighbourhood revitalization, the findings of our in-depth interviews throughout our 5 year research project demonstrate that the new physical layout of the neighbourhood, the structure of new buildings and the rules governing the use of public spaces has transformed previously sociopetal spaces into sociofungal ones, negatively affecting the sense of community and eliminating previously existing safety mechanisms. We argue that failing to account for the ways in which physical spaces promote ownership and control over a community and even enhance physical safety, can have multiple adverse effects on crime and violence within a neighbourhood. Our findings are significant for policies on neighbourhood restructuring around the world.

Authors

• Marta-Marika Urbanik, University of Alberta

• Sandra M. Bucerius, University of Alberta

• Sara K. Thompson, Ryerson University