Crime

New Report Challenges 'Eyes on the Street' Concept

In the fifty years since Jane Jacobs introduced the "eyes on the street" theory, it's become a commonly accepted conceit that a mix of use reduces crime. A new study calls that theory into question.

February 28, 2013 - Next City

The case against mixed-use: not proven

A recent study suggesting that mixed-use zoning increases crime is not as persuasive as it might seem at first glance.

February 26, 2013 - Michael Lewyn

Stop Segregating the Rich! Fighting Displacement Fights Crime

Isolating poor residents from rich ones is not only bad for those being segregated, it leads to the worst outcomes for a city as a whole. Fighting displacement results in less crime and more stable and healthy communities.

January 28, 2013 - Rooflines

Traffic Jam 1970s

An Astounding Explanation for Why Big Cities Are More Dangerous Than Small Ones

For decades, researchers have hunted for an explanation for why big cities have been more prone to violent crime than small ones. A new hypothesis may offer a surprising answer, and prove that big cities aren't inherently much more dangerous.

January 11, 2013 - Mother Jones

Crime Watch

As Cities Become Safer, Crime Decamps for the Suburbs

Homicides are decreasing nationwide, but a federal study reveals that the rate has decreased about 17% in cities and increased by the same rate in suburbs. Two WSJ reporters look behind the numbers for the causes with a focus on Atlanta's suburbs.

January 2, 2013 - Wall Street Journal

Crime: Inner Cities are Beginning to Resemble Suburbs, and Vice Versa

The Economist examines how London's inner city neighborhoods are well past an inflection point in crime rates. In many cases inner city neighborhoods are now safer than suburban neighborhoods and the trend is set to continue.

October 20, 2012 - The Economist

The Community-Building Power of Communal Gardens

Planted to solve a perceived food desert problem, urban gardens are harvesting more than just fresh, nutritious food. Neighborhoods surrounding gardens are seeing surprising declines in violent crime.

August 3, 2012 - Mother Jones

Urban Trees: Friend or Foe to Crime?

A new study published in the June issue of Landscape and Urban Planning intends to settle once and for all the debate about whether urban trees provide a deterrent or inducement for crime, writes Eric Jaffe.

May 30, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

LAPD Moves to Curb "Lawlessness" on Venice Beach

A rising tide of hostility along Venice's famous boardwalk has prompted residents to call on the LAPD for help, Martha Groves reports.

April 16, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

Driving out one Nuisance With Another

The American Society of Landscape Architects examines the implications of squeezing teens out of the public sphere.

March 4, 2012 - THE DIRT

Less Crime Through Urban Design

Environmental criminology may not be the most well-known field, but in this profile of Nikki Filipuzzi and her work throughout Calgary, Tamara Gignac shows how even the right amounts of shrubbery and light can make the city safer.

November 2, 2011 - The Vancouver Sun

The Most Dangerous Cities in the United States

While many stories have been written about Detroit's turnaround, it took the top spot on Forbes list of most dangerous cities. Detroit had 1,111 violent crimes reported per 100,000 residents, which included 345 murders, writes John Giuffo.

October 5, 2011 - Forbes

Tenderloin National Forest

An unconventional outdoor spaces has helped transform a small part of a problem-riddled San Francisco neighborhood.

August 18, 2011 - Next American City

Crime Dropping in Urban Areas

Crime in urban areas is on the decline. Some attribute the drop to increases in the amount of people returning to city centers.

August 17, 2011 - Governing

Philadelphia Tries to Crack Down on Youth Mobs

In the face of recent violence committed by roaming groups of teenagers, officials in Philadelphia are imposing stricter curfews for youth.

August 12, 2011 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Cities, Riots and Facial Recognition Technology

As riots engulf London, the role of technology in cities and crime-fighting comes into the spotlight. Some wonder whether this could usher in the age of facial recognition in cities.

August 11, 2011 - Forbes

Suburbs or Cities: Which Has More Crime?

A Brookings Institute report shows that the difference between crime in the suburbs and cities has drastically decreased, and argues that the current drop in crime rates weakens the correlation between ethnic groups and crime.

July 6, 2011 - The Brookings Institution

Drug War Leaves Wake of Empty Homes

The border city of Juarez, Mexico, has been a flashpoint in the drug-fueled violence that has plagued many parts of Mexico. Recent figures show that nearly 25% of the homes there have been abandoned.

May 26, 2011 - El Paso Times

Data and Maps Aiding Police

Geomapping data is helping police in cities address problem areas, improve unsafe intersections and improve overall efficiency.

May 20, 2011 - Governing

Megacity to Install 500,000 Security Cameras

The Chinese megacity of Chongqing has announced plans to install a half a million surveillance cameras by 2012.

March 9, 2011 - Agence France Presse

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

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