The Impact of Vacant and Abandoned Property on Health and Well-Being: A Qualitative Inquiry

Gabriella D. Roude (), Kimberly Wu, Lisa Richardson, Amber Tucker, Lolita Moss, Michelle Kondo, Christopher N. Morrison, Charles C. Branas, Jeanette Gustat and Katherine P. Theall
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Gabriella D. Roude: Institute of Women & Ethnic Studies
Kimberly Wu: Tulane University
Lisa Richardson: Institute of Women & Ethnic Studies
Amber Tucker: Tulane University
Lolita Moss: Tulane University
Michelle Kondo: USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station
Christopher N. Morrison: Columbia University
Charles C. Branas: Columbia University
Jeanette Gustat: Tulane University
Katherine P. Theall: Tulane University

Applied Research in Quality of Life, 2024, vol. 19, issue 4, No 28, 2125-2145

Abstract: Abstract This qualitative study explored the role of neglected properties and neighborhood environment characteristics on a sample of New Orleans, Louisiana residents’ health and well-being, sense of community, sense of safety, and civic engagement. We hypothesized that residents would identify conditions of their neighborhood's physical environment, including neglected properties, as one factor that impacted their health and other aspects of well-being. Seventy-four (N = 74) participants, including women, men, youth, young adults, and community leaders, took part in 11 focus groups (n = 51) and 23 key informant interviews. Thematic content analysis through inductive and deductive coding cycles of interview transcripts revealed five main categories related to urban neighborhood-built and social environments: 1) health and well-being, 2) sense of community, 3) sense of safety, 4) civic engagement, and 5) youth and family violence. Ten themes were developed and included, for example, the role of neighborhoods in delineating access to health-promoting characteristics and resources; the role of neighborhood social networks as crime prevention strategies; resident-led decision-making in neighborhood improvements; the negative impact of neglected properties; and the role of the local government in improving physical infrastructure. These findings affirm that residents were aware of and impacted by the cyclical nature of built environment neglect on health and well-being, community violence, neighborhood cohesion, civic engagement, and youth violence. Participants recommended improving neighborhood conditions to shift resident mindsets about the health of neighborhoods, reduce violence, and improve quality of life.

Keywords: Neighborhood characteristics; Neglected property remediation; Physical environment; Sense of safety; Violence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s11482-024-10325-w

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