RNfinity
Research Infinity Logo, Orange eye of horus, white eye of Ra
  • Home
  • Submit
    Research Articles
    Ebooks
  • Articles
    Academic
    Ebooks
  • Info
    Home
    Subject
    Submit
    About
    News
    Submission Guide
    Contact Us
  • Login/sign up
    Login
    Register

Social Science

Gentrification and crime in Buffalo, New York

rnfinity

info@rnfinity.com

orcid logo

Zhe Zhang,

Zhe Zhang


Ashley Barr

Ashley Barr


  Peer Reviewed

copyright icon

© attribution CC-BY

  • 0

rating
558 Views

Added on

2024-10-20

Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302832

Related Subjects
Law
Politics
Economics
Geography
Education
Sociology

Abstract

Since the 1990s, gentrification has significantly changed American urban landscapes. Its implications for crime are under recent scrutiny, particularly in large cities like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. We extend this literature by focusing on the gentrification-crime link in the midsize city of Buffalo, New York using nine years of data from the American Community Survey and the Buffalo Police Department. Examining changes both within tracts over time and changes between gentrified and never-gentrified tracts, we find that gentrification is associated with reduced property crime and is not associated with changes in violent crime. More specifically, in comparing crime trends across tracts, we find that gentrified tracts show a trajectory of declining property crime that mirrors more advantaged tracts, while vulnerable-but-never-gentrified tracts show a U-shaped trajectory of property crime. Looking at within-tract changes, we find that years following gentrification of a given tract have lower property crime rates than years preceding gentrification, independent of the general reduction in crime over time. We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding the intersections between urban processes and crime.

Key Questions

1. What is the relationship between gentrification and property crime in Buffalo?

The study finds that gentrification is associated with reduced property crime rates.

2. Does gentrification affect violent crime rates in Buffalo?

The research indicates that gentrification is not associated with changes in violent crime rates.

3. How do crime trends in gentrified areas compare to those in non-gentrified areas?

Gentrified areas exhibit a trajectory of declining property crime that mirrors more advantaged tracts, while vulnerable-but-never-gentrified areas show a U-shaped trajectory of property crime.

4. What is the impact of gentrification on property crime rates within the same neighborhood over time?

Years following gentrification in a given tract have lower property crime rates than years preceding gentrification, independent of the general reduction in crime over time.

Summary

Zhang and Barr's study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of gentrification and crime in Buffalo. The findings suggest that gentrification is linked to a decrease in property crime rates, with no significant effect on violent crime rates. Additionally, gentrified areas experience a consistent decline in property crime, similar to more advantaged neighborhoods, whereas vulnerable areas that do not undergo gentrification display a U-shaped pattern in property crime trends. These results underscore the complex interplay between urban development processes and crime, highlighting the need for nuanced approaches to urban planning and policy.

Summary Video Not Available

Review 0

Login

ARTICLE USAGE


Article usage: Oct-2024 to May-2025
Show by month Manuscript Video Summary
2025 May 86 86
2025 April 84 84
2025 March 87 87
2025 February 75 75
2025 January 95 95
2024 December 62 62
2024 November 49 49
2024 October 20 20
Total 558 558
Show by month Manuscript Video Summary
2025 May 86 86
2025 April 84 84
2025 March 87 87
2025 February 75 75
2025 January 95 95
2024 December 62 62
2024 November 49 49
2024 October 20 20
Total 558 558
Related Subjects
Law
Politics
Economics
Geography
Education
Sociology
copyright icon

© attribution CC-BY

  • 0

rating
558 Views

Added on

2024-10-20

Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302832

Related Subjects
Law
Politics
Economics
Geography
Education
Sociology

Follow Us

  • Xicon
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

5 Braemore Court, London EN4 0AE, Telephone +442082758777

© Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved.