Does Improved Walkability Reduce Crime?

Adam Davies writes about the results of an experimental policing project in the Netherlands that seems to demonstrate that improvements to the pedestrian environment have reduced crime in Rotterdam.

1 minute read

March 26, 2012, 1:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


The theory of improving the appearance of the urban environment in an effort to improve public safety and reduce crime, known as the "broken windows theory", has been vigorously debated since its appearance in a 1982 article by social scientists James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling. According to Davies, the results of a recent policing experiment in Rotterdam may provide "some much needed proof for this theory."

The project, called ‘The Neighbourhood takes Charge', focused on addressing quality of life improvements identified by local residents, of which the top three concerns were street cleaning, dog mess, and reducing traffic speeds.

According to Davies, "police started focusing on making streets cleaner, removing graffiti, speed gunning motorists, increasing police visibility and improving the public realm. But rather than neglecting serious crimes, they actually saw some dramatic reductions in all sorts of crime over a two year period, including: drug crime dropped by 30%; burglary dropped by 22%; vandalism dropped by 31%; traffic offences dropped by 19%; theft dropped by 11%; violence dropped by 8%."

It's unclear from Davies' article how much of the reduction in crime can be attributed to the individual efforts he mentions, such as merely increasing police visibility.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012 in Walkonomics

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today