Framework towards Residential Neighbourhood Crime Prevention in South Western Nigeria

Abstract

The need to curb the soaring trend of residential neighbourhood crime, considering its negative impact on the neighbourhood in general and property value in particular is not to be given the expected attention in academia and government settings. However, the consequences of residential neighbourhood crime are found to be devastating. Hence, this study proposes a Socio-Environmental Design Factors (SEDeF) model for residential neighbourhood crime toward improving property value in Nigeria. Purposive and systematic sampling techniques were adopted, while logistic regression and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyse the data and achieve the set objectives. The findings showed that social risk factors (poverty, unemployment, juvenile delinquencies, illiteracy, and homelessness) and the environmental design factors (natural access control, surveillance, efficient maintenance, territorial functioning, and target hardening) are capable of influencing residential neighbourhood crime in Nigeria. The results of the analysis find the set hypotheses to be significant. This is shown through the regression weights and p-values of the influence of the social risk factors and environmental design factors on residential neighbourhood crime to be 0.69 (0.000) and 0.14 (0.000), respectively. Also, the impact of residential neighbourhood crime on property value gives regression weight and p-value at 0.47 and 0.000, respectively. The model fitness is further guaranteed by the R 2, which stands at 52%. The interpretation of these results is that applying social development programmes to tackle the social risk factors and purposeful manipulation of the residential neighbourhood through design could go a long way to decrease neighbourhood crime and boost property values. This research serves as an awakening call to the Nigerian government, policymakers, and researchers to tackle property crime to ensure housing sustainability and property value appreciation, among others.

Urban property markets and security risk: explaining how neighborhood security shapes housing rental prices in Ojo Lagos, Nigeria

“…Secondly, findings from this study also confirm a body of existing studies that has found strong relationship between housing rental values and urban security or insecurity based on levels of crimes (Olajide, 2008; Ceccato and Wilhelmsson, 2011; Mcllhatton et al. , 2016; Tillyer and Walter, 2018; Song et al.…”

“…Secondly, findings from this study also confirm a body of existing studies that has found strong relationship between housing rental values and urban security or insecurity based on levels of crimes (Olajide, 2008;Ceccato and Wilhelmsson, 2011;Mcllhatton et al, 2016;Tillyer and Walter, 2018;Song et al, 2019). For example in Ibadan, South Western Nigeria Olajide (2008) found that crime intensity had negative correlation with housing values while Song et al (2019) found that a positive correlation between housing prices and criminal activities in China. The negative impact of crime on apartment prices in Stockholm, Sweden was established by Ceccato and Wilhelmsson (2011) and in the Belfast, Ireland region by Mcllhatton et al (2016).…”

“…, 2019). For example in Ibadan, South Western Nigeria Olajide (2008) found that crime intensity had negative correlation with housing values while Song et al . (2019) found that a positive correlation between housing prices and criminal activities in China.…”

“…Second, some studies have also shown that residents' perception of crime risk in a neighborhood actually has negative effects on housing properties (Olajide, 2008; Buonanno et al ., 2012; Ceccato and Wilhelmsson, 2011; Cigdem-Bayram and Prentice, 2019; Song et al ., 2019). In Ibadan Nigeria Olajide (2008) found that there was a negative correlation between housing values and crime intensity. In their study of the impact of crime on apartment prices in Stockholm, Sweden Ceccato and Wilhelmsson (2011) observed that apartment prices are strongly affected by crime type like burglary, theft, vandalism, assault and robbery.…”

“…Second, some studies have also shown that residents' perception of crime risk in a neighborhood actually has negative effects on housing properties (Olajide, 2008; Buonanno et al ., 2012; Ceccato and Wilhelmsson, 2011; Cigdem-Bayram and Prentice, 2019; Song et al ., 2019). In Ibadan Nigeria Olajide (2008) found that there was a negative correlation between housing values and crime intensity.…”