Lessons Learned From a Citywide Abandoned Housing Experiment

Problem, research strategy, and findings The negative impact of vacant abandoned housing in city neighborhoods is extreme, affecting health quality life, promoting violence, leading to further abandonment. One approach addressing intervene with low-cost interventions that provide a visual sense ownership. We tested whether remediation houses or trash cleanup intervention would make noticeable difference the levels nearby disrepair, disorder, public safety. were test compliance municipal ordinances. used an experimental design causal effects ordinances because scale abandonment was too large treatment all city. systematic social observation methods rate changes litter at sites on blocks they located police-reported data gun violence illegal substance use. Our allowed us see observed safety improved after working windows doors installed compared around properties no-intervention control condition. results showed significant illustrate benefits evaluations place-based built environment.Takeaway for practice Improving remediate can disrepair contribute how planners use field experiments partnership agencies, nonprofit community groups, local universities discover novel approaches advance environment help economically disadvantaged communities abate problems physical disorder.