Neighborhood Walkability and Crime Rates: The Conditional Effect of Concentrated Disadvantage

• In Event: Social Disorganization Theory: Places, Spaces, and Time

Abstract

Previous research has produced mixed findings regarding the associations between neighborhood walkability—broadly defined as neighborhood density and access to nearby amenities—and varying crime rates. New urbanism theorizes that neighborhood walkability has potential crime-reducing effects, whereas environmental criminologists contend that neighborhood walkability enhances the risk for crime. Using a sample of block groups in the city of New Orleans (n = 484), this study finds that the index of walkability score has a non-linear relationship with neighborhood crime rates. In addition, the walkability-crime association is moderated by neighborhood concentrated disadvantage.

Author

• Xiaojin Chen, Tulane University