Do We Reap What We Zone?: a Routine Activity Study of Neighborhoods, Land-use, and Robbery Rates

Routine activity theory suggests that neighborhood-level activity patterns influence crime rates, and that the convergence of three elements in space and time¿a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of a capable guardian¿result in increased likelihood of criminal events. As such, particular land-use patterns may explain why disadvantaged neighborhoods have higher crime rates than more advantaged areas. This monograph examines whether the effect of neighborhood disadvantage on crime may be a function of its association with land-use patterns. This research also examines whether land-uses have greater effects in disadvantaged neighborhoods. By understanding the effects of land-use, planners and managers could make changes in land-use patterns that decrease crime rates. Findings reveal that both social characteristics and several land-use patterns exhibited different degrees of influence within three research sites. Generally, the percent of land-use dedicated to commerce as well as some commercial institutions were significant predictors of robbery rates. However, types of commercial land and establishments varied by the study site.