built environment as violence prevention

The Healthy Neighborhoods Project (HNP) is a community-based program that aims to reduce violence and improve health and well-being in New Orleans neighborhoods by cleaning-and-greening abandoned lots and properties. Several studies uphold the efficacy of cleaning-and-greening programs as a cost-effective strategy to reduce crime and violence in communities with high rates of property neglect. In Flint, MI researchers found that greening interventions can reduce violent crime by as much as 40% for a fraction of the cost of policing initiatives (Heinz 2018). It is estimated that every dollar invested in improving upkeep of urban lots results in $26 less spent on gun violence costs (Branas 2016). 

Our local HNP work estimates the cost of maintaining a vacant lot to be about $400 per year. The cost to install a fence on a lot comes in at around $1,400. The maintenance cost per abandoned structure is approximately $1,180 per year. These are compared to losses of up to up $14,000 per property to local governments due to increased policing needs and decreased tax values (Kline 2017). Individuals suffer another $133,000 in losses in wealth due to diminished property values associated with proximity to neglected, vacant properties (Kline 2017). 

In addition to higher crime rates, a range of adverse health outcomes are correlated with high rates of vacant lots and abandoned structures in a given neighborhood. Studies have linked poorer cardiovascular health (Sundquist 2005), lower reading scores (Coulton 2016), higher lead exposure levels (Taggert 2019), increased STI risk (Thomas 2010), and higher rates of overall chronic illness (Garvin 2103) to unmaintained properties.  

Fear of crime also results in decreased use of green spaces and recreational amenities, in turn mitigating any potential benefits of regular outdoor physical activity (Garvin 2013). Unkempt properties also reduce the likelihood of engagement between neighbors (Garvin 2013), limiting mental health benefits of social connection.  

Based on findings such as these, programs throughout the nation, including Philadelphia’s Deeply Rooted Collaborative and Cleveland’s Ground Work program have been established to use greening and repurposing of vacant spaces as a cost-effective violence reduction and community health promotion practice. Adapting similar strategies could have profound positive impact on the physical, mental, and fiscal health of New Orleanians in communities with high vacancy rates.