Exploring the Reciprocal Relationship Between Neighborhood Change and Crime: A Multicity Study in the US

• In Event: Communities and Place: Community Deprivation, Investment, and Change

Abstract

Grounded in the pioneering research established by the Chicago School during the 1920s, studies in the ecology of crime have frequently delved into the impact of alterations in neighborhood contexts on crime rates. A crucial aspect of neighborhood effect studies lies in elucidating the extent to which shifts in neighborhood dynamics and socio-demographic factors contribute to changes in crime rates. These shifts encompass various dimensions, with this research specifically focusing on neighborhood housing investment, home values, and residential vacancy rates. The study aims to investigate the reciprocal relationship between neighborhood change and crime incidences (both violent and property) from 2010 to 2018 across diverse cities in the United States. In addition, the emphasis is placed on examining the relatively rapid changes in neighborhood characteristics within a condensed timeframe, typically spanning one year, and discerning their influence on neighborhood crime, or vice versa. Implications of the studies will be discussed.

Author

• Xiaoshuang Iris Luo, University of Akron