Demolition and Disorder: Exploring the Impact of Chicago's Fast Track Abandoned Building Program in Reducing Social Disorder

• In Event: Neighborhood Change, Policy Interventions, and Crime/Disorder

Abstract

This paper evaluates the impact of a Chicago program which demolished vacant buildings in high-crime police districts. Abandoned building abatement programs have been used for years to reduce disorder and crime in troubled neighborhoods. These programs work under the assumption that abandoned buildings are crime and disorder magnets. Mayor Emanuel argued the demolitions would “help prevent gangs from using vacant buildings for illegal activity while also removing blight that has a detrimental impact on the entire neighborhood.” While the programs maintain popular support from citizens and politicains, little research has been conducted to demonstrate that abatement programs work. The current study aims to assess one such program - the Fast Track Abandoned Building Program (FTAP) - in Chicago. Using data that photographically studied 38 abandoned buildings for the course of a year and 19 time points, we employ hierarchical linear models with time nested in buildings to establish if demolition results in a decrease in social disorder. Our preliminary results show demolition does not reduce disorder, but rather has no impact on it. This finding contrasts the expected outcome proponents of the demolition project suggested would occur. We conclude with a discussion of current abatement policies.

Authors

• David H Tyler, Arizona State University

• David Schalliol, St. Olaf College

• Danielle Wallace, Arizona State University