Definition
Neighborhood disorder refers to observed or perceived physical and social features of neighborhoods that may signal the breakdown of order and social control, and that can undermine the quality of life. Social disorder can be exemplified by behaviors in public places such as people drunk or taking drugs on the streets, drug dealing, hostile arguing, conflict and fighting, people loitering, rowdy groups and gang activity, street prostitution, and other cues such as high levels of police activity. Vacant or abandoned housing, vandalized and run-down buildings, abandoned cars, graffiti, and litter in the streets can exemplify physical disorder (Sampson & Raudenbush, 1999; Skogan, 1990; Taylor, 2001; Wilson & Kelling, 1982).
Description
The concept of neighborhood disorder can be traced back to social disorganization theorists from the Chicago school of urban sociology, and the idea that...
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Gracia, E. (2014). Neighborhood Disorder. In: Michalos, A.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_2751
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