Abstract
ABSTRACT The existence of works proving the possible relationship empirically that Airbnb lodgings could have with crime in Spain is not known. This research analyzes the relationship between Airbnb lodgings and crimes against the properties and people in Barcelona’s neighbourhoods. To achieve this, we use an ordinary least squares regression model and a geographically weighted regression model. The results show a significant and positive relationship between the higher density of Airbnb lodgings and the higher crime rates in the neighbourhoods, especially of patrimonial nature. Divided by type of leased space, the Airbnb homes, in which the guest shares a room with other guests, show a higher relationship with crimes against property and people. The results of the local model show a spatial heterogeneity in all variables used, indicating the need to address non-stationary spatial processes that reveal hidden patterns. However, the only variable that shows statistically significant local variability is the total Airbnb lodgings variable. Finally, we discussed some unexpected results, proposing some future lines of research.
Highlights
Airbnb is a form of shared economy in which an owner rents out his house or room to a guest
The ratio associated with the variable of the total of Airbnb lodgings remains positive for the entire study of the region in the case of crimes against property
This research analyzes the relationship between the con centration of Airbnb lodgings and crime in a very tour istic Spanish city
Summary
Airbnb is a form of shared economy in which an owner (the host) rents out his house or room to a guest. The above claimed positive gentrification process – supously triggered by the accu mulation of Airbnb lodgings in the area – could have an opposite effect in a very touristic country like Spain In this country, several studies have shown how the intense tourism activity is linked to a process by which the long standing population is replaced by a more young and mobile one (García Herrera, Smith, and Mejías Vera 2013; Cocola-Gant 2018; Jover and Díaz-Parra 2019). In line with international literature, Spain’s interest in the repercussions of these lodgings focuses on gentrification and housing market issues (Yrigoy 2017; Gil and Sequera 2018; Adamiak, Szyda, and García-Álvarez 2019), and, less frequently, on social and local effects (Cocola-Gant and Pardo 2017; CocolaGant and López-Gay 2020) To fill this gap, this paper analyzes the relationship between Airbnb lodgings and crime in a very touristic Spanish city: Barcelona.
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