Analyzing the influence of ethnic composition and immigrant residents on the spatial distribution of violent crime

Matthew Quick, Jane Law

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The spatial distribution of violent crime is influenced by small-area characteristics. The social disorganization theory proposes that neighbourhood scale characteristics, including ethnic composition and immigrant residents, indirectly influence crime through social control. Recent spatial demographic changes in urban areas, including increased immigration and ethnic heterogeneity in city peripheries, have motivated reconsiderations of social disorganization. Using exploratory spatial data analysis and spatial regression methods, this research identifies violent crime hotspots and analyzes the influence of ethnic composition and immigrant resident concentration on violent crime in Toronto, Ontario, at the census tract scale. Results suggest that violent crime hotspots are located in downtown and north Toronto and that ethnic heterogeneity is positively associated with violent crime rate while immigrant resident concentration is negatively associated. This research provides novel insight into the spatial dimensions of crime and the effects of spatial demographic changes on violent crime and social disorganization in contemporary cities.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAdvances in Spatial Data Handling and Analysis - Select Papers from the 16th IGU Spatial Data Handling Symposium
EditorsYee Leung, Francis Harvey
Publisherspringer berlin
Pages227-243
Number of pages17
ISBN (Print)9783319199498
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015
Externally publishedYes
Event16th International Symposium on Spatial Data Handling, SDH 2014 - Toronto, Canada
Duration: Oct 6 2014Oct 8 2014

Publication series

NameAdvances in Geographic Information Science
Volume19
ISSN (Print)1867-2434
ISSN (Electronic)1867-2442

Other

Other16th International Symposium on Spatial Data Handling, SDH 2014
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityToronto
Period10/6/1410/8/14

Keywords

  • Demography
  • Social disorganization
  • Spaital analysis
  • Spatial regression
  • Violent crime

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Information Systems
  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Geography, Planning and Development

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