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Urban regeneration projects and crime: evidence from Glasgow

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  • Daniel Borbely
  • Gennaro Rossi

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of urban regeneration on crime, leveraging recent large-scale regeneration projects—called Transformational Regeneration Areas (TRAs)—in Glasgow, Scotland. We employ a difference-in-differences approach that makes use of variation in both the timing of TRA implementation, and in proximity to these areas to measure exposure to urban regeneration projects. We find a large and significant reduction in crime within 400 m of TRAs but this effect fades as we move further away. Simultaneously, we find no evidence of city-wide reductions in crime after urban regeneration.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Borbely & Gennaro Rossi, 2023. "Urban regeneration projects and crime: evidence from Glasgow," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 23(6), pages 1273-1301.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:jecgeo:v:23:y:2023:i:6:p:1273-1301.
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    1. Aliprantis, Dionissi & Hartley, Daniel, 2015. "Blowing it up and knocking it down: The local and city-wide effects of demolishing high concentration public housing on crime," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 67-81.
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    6. Lorenzo Neri, 2020. "Moving Opportunities: The Impact of Public Housing Re-generations on Student Achievement," Working Papers 907, Queen Mary University of London, School of Economics and Finance.
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    1. Richard Disney & Tom Kirchmaier & Stephen Machin & Carmen Villa, 2026. "Gangs of London and public housing," CEP Discussion Papers dp2147, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    2. Monika Maria Cysek-Pawlak & Aleksander Serafin & Andrii Polishchuk, 2025. "Safe and Sustainable City: Exploring the Impact of Urban Factors on Crime Occurrence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-16, February.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • R20 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - General
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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