Danger zone: Land use and the geography of neighborhood crime

Tate Twinam

Journal of Urban Economics, 2017, vol. 100, issue C, 104-119

Abstract: This paper examines the impact of residential density and mixed land use on crime using a high-resolution dataset from Chicago over the period 2008–2013. I employ a novel instrumental variable strategy based on the city’s 1923 zoning code. I find that commercial uses lead to more street crime in their immediate vicinity, particularly in more walkable neighborhoods. However, this effect is strongly offset by population density; dense mixed-use areas are safer than typical residential areas. Additionally, much of the commercial effect is driven by liquor stores and late-hour bars. I discuss the implications for zoning policy.

Keywords: Crime; Land use; Zoning; Instrumental variables; Matching (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: K42 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (16)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:juecon:v:100:y:2017:i:c:p:104-119

DOI: 10.1016/j.jue.2017.05.006

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