The Impact of Green Space on Violent Crime in Urban Environments: An Evidence Synthesis

Abstract

Can the presence of green space in urban environments reduce the frequency of violent crime? To ascertain the evidence on this topic, we conducted an in-depth literature review using the PRISMA checklist. The search parameters included US articles written in English and published since 2000. More than 30,000 potential paper titles were identified and ultimately, 45 papers were selected for inclusion. Green spaces typically comprised tree cover, parks and ground cover. Criminal behaviors typically included murder, assault, and theft. The majority of the research reviewed involved quantitative methods (e.g., comparison of green space area to crime data). We extracted multiple mechanisms from the literature that may account for the impact of green space on crime including social interaction and recreation, community perception, biophilic stress reduction, climate modulation, and spaces expressing territorial definition. Recommendations are made for future research, such as meta-analysis of existing data and the development of grounded theory through qualitative data-gathering methods. By providing evidence that access to nature has a mitigating impact on violence in urban settings, city governments and communities are empowered to support these interventions.

Neighborhood Street Activity and Greenspace Usage Uniquely Contribute to Predicting Crime

“…Our results are in line with previous research findings, which uncovered negative associations between greenspace and crime 10,11,16,35,36 . However, our 'physical presence of greenspace' variables (i.e., Tree Canopy, Grass Coverage) had weaker and less consistent associations with reduced crime, compared to our 'use of greenspace' variable (i.e., Park Visits).…”

“…A growing body of research examines the impact of the physical environment on crime, through such features as climate 6 , vacant lots or buildings 7 , ambient and artificial light 8 , or disorder 9 . Another factor that has been much less studied is the impact of urban greenspace 10 .…”

Dramatic uneven urbanization of large cities throughout the world in recent decades

“…4c ). The greening of cities would have resulted from more urban parks or green spaces, which are likely to have multiple benefits for the urban environment and human health/well-being, including improving cardiovascular conditions 31 , 36 , and mental health 32 and reducing crime and violence 37 .…”

Neighborhood street activity and greenspace usage uniquely contribute to predicting crime

“…A growing body of research examines the impact of the physical environment on crime, through such features as climate (6), vacant lots or buildings (7), ambient and artificial light (8), or disorder (9). Another factor that has been much less studied is the impact of urban greenspace (10). Some research has demonstrated a negative relationship between crime levels and various types of urban greenspace, such as tree canopy (11), vegetation levels (12), and greened lots (13), while others have failed to find a relationship between greenspace and crime at all (14).…”