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The view from a broken window: How residents make sense of neighbourhood disorder in Flint

Author

Listed:
  • Rachel Johansen

    (Michigan State University, USA)

  • Zachary Neal

    (Michigan State University, USA)

  • Stephen Gasteyer

    (Michigan State University, USA)

Abstract

This paper explores how members of a neighbourhood association in a post-industrial blighted community in Flint, Michigan are working to reduce disorder conditions in their neighbourhood. We seek to understand how members are impacted by disorder, what they perceive to be the cause of disorder, and how they respond to disorder conditions. We argue that a disordered physical environment characterised by abandoned buildings and neglected properties is viewed by association members as giving rise to fear and incidences of crime and the impression of the loss of social control by formal authorities. As a result, association members focus their attention on interventions specifically geared toward controlling environmental factors such as neighbourhood greenspace. Our findings suggest that residents are deeply and negatively impacted by the presence of disorder, and that they view such neighbourhood greening initiatives as an effective way to mobilise neighbourhood residents against disorder-producing conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachel Johansen & Zachary Neal & Stephen Gasteyer, 2015. "The view from a broken window: How residents make sense of neighbourhood disorder in Flint," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 52(16), pages 3054-3069, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:52:y:2015:i:16:p:3054-3069
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098014552768
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Austin, D. Mark & Furr, L. Allen & Spine, Michael, 2002. "The effects of neighborhood conditions on perceptions of safety," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 30(5), pages 417-427.
    2. Christopher De Sousa, 2004. "The greening of brownfields in American cities," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(4), pages 579-600.
    3. Gau, Jacinta M. & Pratt, Travis C., 2010. "Revisiting Broken Windows Theory: Examining the Sources of the Discriminant Validity of Perceived Disorder and Crime," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 38(4), pages 758-766, July.
    4. Karl E. Weick & Kathleen M. Sutcliffe & David Obstfeld, 2005. "Organizing and the Process of Sensemaking," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 16(4), pages 409-421, August.
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