The case against mixed-use: not proven

A recent study suggesting that mixed-use zoning increases crime is not as persuasive as it might seem at first glance.

2 minute read

February 26, 2013, 7:24 AM PST

By Michael Lewyn @mlewyn


A recent study published in the University of Pennsylvania Law Review analyzes the crime rates of numerous blocks in Los Angeles, and concludes that single-use residential areas have the lowest crime rates.  (The article also suggests that mixed-use places have less crime than commercial blocks).   According to the authors' logic, the isolation of commerce from housing protects us all from crime- at least if we don't bother to visit commercial places.  (By this logic, the only safe place to shop is online!)

It seems to me that the article's attempt to compare mixed-use and single-use places is inherently flawed.  Suppose that mixed-use block A has 100 residents and 20 crimes per year, while single-use residential block B has 200 people and 10 crimes per year.  At first glance, block A has far more crime: it has 20 crimes per 100 residents while block B has only 5.

But this logic overlooks something.  Block B will almost never have more than 200 people on any given day (except for occasional visitors); thus, it makes sense to evaluate Block B's crime rates by dividing the number of crimes by the number of residents,   But mixed-use Block A's real universe of potential victims is not just the 100 residents of that block: it is the 100 residents PLUS the people who come to Block A to shop and work.  So if Block A has 400 commercial visitors per day, its real population is 500 (the residents plus the visitors).  Thus, a better way to calculate Block A's crime rate is to divide its 20 crimes by 500 residents.  Under this method, Block A has only 4 crimes per 100 people- fewer than Block B!


Michael Lewyn

Michael Lewyn is a professor at Touro University, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, in Long Island. His scholarship can be found at http://works.bepress.com/lewyn.

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

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.

45 minutes ago - 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.

1 hour ago - Cities Today

View from inside car's driver seat while driving.

Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians

Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside vehicles.

2 hours ago - Bloomberg CityLab

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA

Write for Planetizen