Canopy and CrimeCanopy and Crime

Frances E. KuoFrances E. Kuo

A study conducted byA study conducted by

Natural Resources & Environmental SciencesUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture

• The USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program on the recommendation of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council

With funding fromWith funding from

Take home Take home messagemessage

The more vegetation outside a residence, the lower its crime rate.

Take home messageTake home message

• Why Study Canopy and Crime?• The Approach• The Findings• So What?

Presentation outlinePresentation outline

Why Study Canopy and Why Study Canopy and Crime?Crime?

Dense woods and Dense woods and shrubs can conceal shrubs can conceal criminal activity.criminal activity.

Such dense vegetation Such dense vegetation evokes both general fear and evokes both general fear and fear of crime.fear of crime.

Removing greenery to deter Removing greenery to deter crime is a common practice.crime is a common practice.

But is indiscriminately But is indiscriminately clearing greenery really a clearing greenery really a wise policy?wise policy?

Not all Not all vegetation vegetation blocks views.blocks views.

In fact, In fact, vegetation that vegetation that allows for allows for visibility might visibility might inhibit crime.inhibit crime.

Such green spaces might inhibit crime Such green spaces might inhibit crime because theybecause they• bring people together outdoorsbring people together outdoors

Such green spaces might inhibit crime Such green spaces might inhibit crime because theybecause they• bring people together outdoorsbring people together outdoors

• lessen mental fatigue, irritability, and lessen mental fatigue, irritability, and

impulsivenessimpulsiveness

Where would you feel safer?Where would you feel safer?

Can vegetation in the Can vegetation in the common areas outside a common areas outside a residence actually reduce residence actually reduce criminal activity?criminal activity?

The ApproachThe Approach

The Ida B. Wells development in Chicago The Ida B. Wells development in Chicago was chosen as the research site becausewas chosen as the research site because• buildings and amount of outdoor common buildings and amount of outdoor common

space are similar; only vegetation quantity space are similar; only vegetation quantity differsdiffers

The Ida B. Wells development in Chicago The Ida B. Wells development in Chicago was chosen as the research site becausewas chosen as the research site because• buildings and amount of outdoor common buildings and amount of outdoor common

space are similar; only vegetation quantity space are similar; only vegetation quantity differsdiffers• vegetation does not block viewsvegetation does not block views

Characteristics of the residents here were Characteristics of the residents here were important too.important too.• They are randomly assigned to these They are randomly assigned to these buildings.buildings.

Characteristics of the residents here were Characteristics of the residents here were important too.important too.• They are randomly assigned to these They are randomly assigned to these buildings.buildings.• They are similar in personal characteristics.They are similar in personal characteristics.

MethodMethod• Police reports from 98 buildings were Police reports from 98 buildings were collected.collected.

MethodMethod• Police reports from 98 buildings were Police reports from 98 buildings were collected.collected.• Building common areas were rated for Building common areas were rated for quantity of vegetation.quantity of vegetation.

Common space with a low level of vegetation

Common space with a high level of vegetation

Measuring quantity of common Measuring quantity of common space vegetationspace vegetation

MethodMethod• Police reports from 98 buildings were Police reports from 98 buildings were collected.collected.• Building common areas were rated for Building common areas were rated for quantity of vegetation.quantity of vegetation.• The relationship between quantity of The relationship between quantity of vegetation and crime rate was analyzed.vegetation and crime rate was analyzed.

The FindingsThe Findings

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# of property # of property crimescrimes

Quantity of vegetationQuantity of vegetation

Buildings with more vegetation Buildings with more vegetation had fewer property crimeshad fewer property crimes

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LowLow MediumMedium HighHigh

Quantity of vegetationQuantity of vegetation

Canopy and CrimeCanopy and Crime

Buildings with more vegetation Buildings with more vegetation had fewer violent crimeshad fewer violent crimes

# of violent # of violent crimescrimes

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LowLow MediumMedium HighHigh

Quantity of vegetationQuantity of vegetation

Buildings with more vegetation Buildings with more vegetation had fewer crimes overallhad fewer crimes overall

# of crimes # of crimes overalloverall

So What?So What?

The more vegetation a The more vegetation a building had, the fewer building had, the fewer crimes – fewer property crimes – fewer property crimes, fewer violent crimes, crimes, fewer violent crimes, and fewer crimes overall.and fewer crimes overall.

Common areas with high-canopy trees Common areas with high-canopy trees and grass:and grass:• are gathering spaces for neighborsare gathering spaces for neighbors

Common areas with high-canopy trees Common areas with high-canopy trees and grass:and grass:• are gathering spaces for neighborsare gathering spaces for neighbors

• can foster states of mind that are less prone tocan foster states of mind that are less prone to violenceviolence

Not only does Not only does vegetation make vegetation make neighborhoods neighborhoods more attractive, it more attractive, it may make them may make them safer!safer!

To improve the quality of life To improve the quality of life for the many people who live for the many people who live in poor urban in poor urban neighborhoods…neighborhoods…

We must work We must work together–planting, together–planting, protecting, and protecting, and maintaining urban maintaining urban vegetation.vegetation.

Suggestions for urban property owners, Suggestions for urban property owners, planners, policy makers, and developers:planners, policy makers, and developers:• think twice before removing trees or think twice before removing trees or vegetation for security reasonsvegetation for security reasons

Suggestions for urban property owners, Suggestions for urban property owners, planners, policy makers, and developers:planners, policy makers, and developers:• think twice before removing trees or think twice before removing trees or vegetation for security reasonsvegetation for security reasons• landscape buildings with vegetation that does landscape buildings with vegetation that does not block viewsnot block views

Suggestions for urban property owners, Suggestions for urban property owners, planners, policy makers, and developers:planners, policy makers, and developers:• think twice before removing trees or think twice before removing trees or vegetation for security reasonsvegetation for security reasons• landscape buildings with vegetation that does landscape buildings with vegetation that does not block viewsnot block views• maintain vegetation to preserve visibilitymaintain vegetation to preserve visibility

Support tree planting and Support tree planting and tree care efforts in the inner tree care efforts in the inner city.city.

In harsh In harsh environments, a environments, a little green can go a little green can go a long way.long way.

Caring for trees means caring Caring for trees means caring for people!for people!

To share this information To share this information with others:with others:

• • Copies of this presentation and other, written Copies of this presentation and other, written materials for nonscientific audiences may be obtained materials for nonscientific audiences may be obtained at <www.lhhl.uiuc.edu> at <www.lhhl.uiuc.edu>

• • To quote this information in print, please consult the To quote this information in print, please consult the original scientific journal article: original scientific journal article: Kuo, F.E., & Sullivan, W.C. (2001). Environment and crime in Kuo, F.E., & Sullivan, W.C. (2001). Environment and crime in the inner city: Does vegetation reduce crime? the inner city: Does vegetation reduce crime? Environment & Environment & BehaviorBehavior, 33, 343-367., 33, 343-367.

Available at www.lhhl.uiuc.eduAvailable at www.lhhl.uiuc.edu

To learn more:To learn more:

On details of the original study On details of the original study Kuo, F.E., Sullivan, W.C. (2001). Environment and crime in the inner city: Kuo, F.E., Sullivan, W.C. (2001). Environment and crime in the inner city: Does vegetation reduce crime? Does vegetation reduce crime? Environment & BehaviorEnvironment & Behavior, 33, 343-367., 33, 343-367.

On problems with dense vegetationOn problems with dense vegetationFisher, B.S., Nasar, J.L. (1992). Fear of crime in relation to three exterior site Fisher, B.S., Nasar, J.L. (1992). Fear of crime in relation to three exterior site features: Prospect, refuge, and escape. features: Prospect, refuge, and escape. Environment & BehaviorEnvironment & Behavior, 24, 35-65. , 24, 35-65.

Michael, S.N., Hull, R.B. (1994). Michael, S.N., Hull, R.B. (1994). Effects of vegetation on crime in urban Effects of vegetation on crime in urban parks.parks. Blacksburg: Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Department of Forestry. Blacksburg: Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Department of Forestry.

Schroeder, H.W., Anderson, L.M. (1984). Perception of personal safety in Schroeder, H.W., Anderson, L.M. (1984). Perception of personal safety in urban recreation sites. urban recreation sites. Journal of Leisure Research,Journal of Leisure Research, 16, 178-194. 16, 178-194.

Talbot, J., Kaplan, R. (1984). Needs and fears: the response to trees and Talbot, J., Kaplan, R. (1984). Needs and fears: the response to trees and nature in the inner city. nature in the inner city. Journal of Arboriculture,Journal of Arboriculture, 10, 222-228. 10, 222-228.

On tree removal policies to decrease crimeOn tree removal policies to decrease crimePluncknett, T.F.T. (1960). Pluncknett, T.F.T. (1960). Edward I and criminal law.Edward I and criminal law. Cambridge University Cambridge University Press. Press.

Weisel, D.L., Gouvis, C., Harrell, A.V. (1994). Weisel, D.L., Gouvis, C., Harrell, A.V. (1994). Addressing community decay Addressing community decay and crime: Alternative approaches and explanations.and crime: Alternative approaches and explanations. Washington, DC: The Washington, DC: The

Urban Institute.Urban Institute. On vegetation and decreased incivilitiesOn vegetation and decreased incivilitiesBrunson, L.B., Kuo, F.E., Sullivan, W.C. (2001). Resident appropriation of Brunson, L.B., Kuo, F.E., Sullivan, W.C. (2001). Resident appropriation of defensible space in public housing: Implications for safety and community. defensible space in public housing: Implications for safety and community. Environment & Behavior,Environment & Behavior, 33, 626-652. 33, 626-652.

Stamen, T. (1993). Stamen, T. (1993). Graffiti deterrent proposed by horticulturalistGraffiti deterrent proposed by horticulturalist [press [press release]. Riverside: University of California, Riverside.release]. Riverside: University of California, Riverside.

To learn more:To learn more:

On vegetation and increased surveillanceOn vegetation and increased surveillanceColey, R.L., Kuo, F.E., Sullivan, W.C. (1997). Where does community grow? Coley, R.L., Kuo, F.E., Sullivan, W.C. (1997). Where does community grow? The social context created by nature in urban public housing. The social context created by nature in urban public housing. Environment & Environment & Behavior,Behavior, 29, 468-492. 29, 468-492.

Kuo, F.E., Sullivan, W.C., Coley, R.L., Brunson, L. (1998). Fertile ground for Kuo, F.E., Sullivan, W.C., Coley, R.L., Brunson, L. (1998). Fertile ground for community: Inner-city neighborhood common spaces. community: Inner-city neighborhood common spaces. American Journal of American Journal of Community Psychology,Community Psychology, 26, 823-851. 26, 823-851.

On mental fatigue and violenceOn mental fatigue and violenceKaplan, S. (1987). Kaplan, S. (1987). Mental fatigue and the designed environment.Mental fatigue and the designed environment. In J. In J. Harvey & D. Henning (Eds.), Public environments (pp. 55-60). Washington, Harvey & D. Henning (Eds.), Public environments (pp. 55-60). Washington, DC: Environmental Design Research Association.DC: Environmental Design Research Association.

Kuo, F.E., & Sullivan, W.C. (2001). Aggression and violence in the inner city: Kuo, F.E., & Sullivan, W.C. (2001). Aggression and violence in the inner city: Impacts of environment via mental fatigue. Impacts of environment via mental fatigue. Environment & BehaviorEnvironment & Behavior, 33, , 33, 543-571.543-571.

To learn more:To learn more:

On vegetation and mental fatigueOn vegetation and mental fatigue

Cimprich, B. (1993). Development of an intervention to restore attention in Cimprich, B. (1993). Development of an intervention to restore attention in cancer patients. cancer patients. Cancer Nursing,Cancer Nursing, 16, 83-92. 16, 83-92.

Hartig, T., Mang, M., Evans, G.W. (1991). Restorative effects of natural Hartig, T., Mang, M., Evans, G.W. (1991). Restorative effects of natural environment experiences. environment experiences. Environment & Behavior,Environment & Behavior, 23, 3-26. 23, 3-26.

Kaplan, R. (1984). Wilderness perception and psychological benefits: An Kaplan, R. (1984). Wilderness perception and psychological benefits: An analysis of a continuing program. Leisure Sciences, 6, 271-290.analysis of a continuing program. Leisure Sciences, 6, 271-290.

Lohr, V.I., Pearson-Mimms, C.H., Goodwin, G.K. (1996). Interior plants may Lohr, V.I., Pearson-Mimms, C.H., Goodwin, G.K. (1996). Interior plants may improve worker productivity and reduce stress in a windowless environment. improve worker productivity and reduce stress in a windowless environment. Journal of Environmental HorticultureJournal of Environmental Horticulture, 14, 97-100., 14, 97-100.

Miles, I., Sullivan, W.C., Kuo, F.E. (1998). Prairie restoration volunteers: The Miles, I., Sullivan, W.C., Kuo, F.E. (1998). Prairie restoration volunteers: The benefits of participation. benefits of participation. Urban EcosystemsUrban Ecosystems, 2, 27-41., 2, 27-41.

Tennessen, C., Cimprich, B. (1995). Views to nature: Effects on attention: Tennessen, C., Cimprich, B. (1995). Views to nature: Effects on attention: Journal of Environmental PsychologyJournal of Environmental Psychology, 15, 77-85., 15, 77-85.

To learn more:To learn more:

Other questions?Other questions?

Contact Frances E. Kuo, Ph.D. (fekuo@uiuc.edu)Contact Frances E. Kuo, Ph.D. (fekuo@uiuc.edu)

The University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignThe University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Landscape and Human Health Laboratory Landscape and Human Health Laboratory

1103 S. Dorner Drive, MC-6361103 S. Dorner Drive, MC-636

Urbana IL 61801Urbana IL 61801