Journal article
Moving beyond “Does it reduce crime”: The curvilinear and moderating effects of greenspace
Journal of criminal justice, Vol.97, 102371
03/2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102371
Abstract
Previous studies have primarily examined linear relationships between greenspace and crime, overlooking the possibility that greenspace may have both crime-reducing and crime-producing effects in neighborhoods. Additionally, the ways in which the effects of greenspace systematically vary by other neighborhood characteristics remain understudied. This study addresses these gaps by analyzing the relationship between greenspace, crime, and neighborhood characteristics.
We conducted a block group analysis in Cleveland, Ohio, examining crime, greenspace, sociodemographic characteristics, and built environment features. Zero-inflated negative binomial regression models were used to assess both the main and moderating effects of greenspace on crime.
The findings indicate that an index of greenspace has U-shaped effects on all forms of crime, whereas tree canopy—a specific type of greenspace—exhibits U-shaped effects on property crime only. Moderation analyses show that the crime-reducing effects of greenspace and tree canopy are strongest in neighborhoods characterized by ethnic heterogeneity and mixed land use, respectively.
These results highlight the nuanced relationship between greenspace and crime, emphasizing that while greenspace can reduce crime under certain conditions, very high levels of greenspace may have unintended crime-producing effects. Importantly, the benefits of greenspace are maximized in neighborhoods that, in theory, face challenges regulating crime.
•Greenspace shows U-shaped effects on crime, reducing it at moderate to high levels.•Excessive greenspace in neighborhoods may unexpectedly increase crime.•Tree canopy influences property crime but not other forms of crime.•Crime-reducing effects of greenspace are strongest in ethnically heterogeneous areas.•Mixed land use enhances the crime-reducing effects of neighborhood tree canopy.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Moving beyond “Does it reduce crime”: The curvilinear and moderating effects of greenspace
- Creators
- James C. Wo - Department of Sociology and Criminology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of criminal justice, Vol.97, 102371
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102371
- ISSN
- 0047-2352
- eISSN
- 1873-6203
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/2025
- Academic Unit
- School of Planning and Public Affairs; Sociology and Criminology; Center for Social Science Innovation
- Record Identifier
- 9984790973302771
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