Neighborhood Nuisances Research Articles

A longitudinal study of neighbourhood conditions and depression in ageing European adults: Do the associations vary by exposure to childhood stressors?

Emerging literature emphasises the association between neighbourhood conditions and late life depression. Childhood experiences, crucial for life course development of mental health, may modify how neighbourhood affects subsequent depression. This study assessed the longitudinal associations of access to services and neighbourhood nuisance with depression among older adults, and tested whether these associations varied by exposure to childhood stressors. Data were drawn from the cross-national Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, a prospective cohort study between 2004/2005 and 2015, representative for European adults over the age of 50. Individual perceptions of neighbourhood were measured at baseline; childhood stressors, defined as socioeconomic conditions, adverse experiences and health problems, were collected retrospectively. Multilevel logistic regression estimated the risk of depression (n = 10,328). Access to services were negatively (OR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.68–0.90) and neighbourhood nuisance positively (OR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.18–1.56) associated with the probability of depression during follow-up. We found interactions between neighbourhood and childhood socioeconomic conditions, but not with adverse experiences and health problems. While older adults who grew up in better childhood socioeconomic conditions benefited more from living in a residential area with good access to services, they were at higher risk of developing depression when residing in areas with more neighbourhood nuisances. Older adults' mental health can benefit from better access to public transportation and neighbourhood amenities, while physical and social problems in the local area increase the risk of depression. Importantly, socioeconomic circumstances in early life may influence vulnerability to neighbourhood effects in older age.

Cognitive resources moderate the adverse impact of poor perceived neighborhood conditions on self-reported physical activity of older adults

Poor neighborhood conditions are associated with lower levels of physical activity for older adults but socio-ecological models posit that physical activity depends on both environmental and individual factors. Older adults' ability to overcome environmental barriers to physical activity may partially rely on cognitive resources. However, evidence on the moderating role of these cognitive resources in the associations between environmental barriers and physical activity is still lacking. We analyzed cross-national and longitudinal data on 28,393 adults aged 50 to 96 years as part of the SHARE. Lack of access to services and neighborhood nuisances were used as indicators of poor neighborhood conditions. Delayed recall and verbal fluency were used as indicators of cognitive resources. Confounder-adjusted generalized estimation equations were conducted to test associations between neighborhood conditions and self-reported moderate physical activity, as well as the moderating role of cognitive resources. Results showed that poor neighborhood conditions reduced the odds of engagement in physical activity. Cognitive resources robustly reduced the adverse influence of poor neighborhood conditions on physical activity. Participants with lower cognitive resource scores showed lower odds of engaging in physical activity when neighborhood conditions were poorer, whereas these conditions were not related to this engagement for participants with higher cognitive resource scores. These findings suggest that cognitive resources can temper the detrimental effect of poor neighborhood conditions on physical activity. Public policies should target both individual and environmental factors to tackle the current pandemic of physical inactivity more comprehensively.

Neighbourhood conflicts, socio-spatial inequalities, and residential stigmatisation in Santiago, Chile

This paper addresses the complex relationship between social inequality and urban conflict by offering a systematic and comprehensive approach to the articulation between macro structural inequality (density, segregation, concentration of high-income), meso level symbolic inequality (territorial stigma) and micro level experiences of conflict and place attachment. We contend that micro-social, neighbourhood level conflicts -mistakenly understood as ‘neighbourhood nuisances’ (e.g. noise, odours, parking)- are associated with larger scale urban conflicts. We also argue that the development of affective ties with the neighbourhood in which they reside can insulate people from neighbourhood conflict, as well as helping to lessen the impact structural inequality and stigmatisation. Drawing on the results of a representative survey of 2300 individuals, carried out in Chile's capital city, Santiago, at the behest of the country's Ministry of Justice, we apply multilevel logistical regression models. The results obtained allow us to question the prevailing view that regards neighbourhood conflicts as essentially superficial and localised. Our results show that the incidence of these ‘nuisances’ is not solely associated with individual socioeconomic circumstances, suggesting that they rather form part of a common framework of intersectional vulnerabilities. We suggest that suitable responses include the promotion of active forms of interconnectedness, which empower actors and challenge the noxious effects of the neoliberal model of development.

When Tourists Move In: How Should Urban Planners Respond to Airbnb?

Problem, research strategy, and findings: The online accommodation platform Airbnb has expanded globally, raising substantial planning and regulatory concerns. We ask whether Airbnb rentals generate significant neighborhood impacts like noise, congestion, and competition for parking; reduce the permanent rental housing supply and increase rental prices; or provide income opportunities that help “hosts” afford their own housing. We focus on Sydney, the largest region in Australia with 4.4 million people in 28 individual municipalities, which has experienced both rapidly rising housing costs and exponential growth in Airbnb listings since 2011. Airbnb’s growth has raised concerns serious enough to result in a formal Parliamentary Inquiry by the state of New South Wales. We analyze stakeholder submissions to this inquiry and review local planning regulations, Airbnb listings data, and housing market and census statistics. We find that online homesharing platforms for visitor accommodations blur traditional boundaries between residential and tourist areas so Airbnb listings may fall outside of existing land use regulations or evade detection until neighbors complain. Our findings are constrained by the difficulties of monitoring online operations and the rapid changes in the industry.Takeaway for practice: Planners and policymakers in cities with increasing numbers of Airbnb rentals need to review how well local planning controls manage the neighborhood nuisances, traffic, and parking problems that may be associated with them while acting to protect the permanent rental housing supply. Local planners need to ensure that zoning and residential development controls distinguish between different forms of short-term Airbnb accommodation listings and their potential impacts on neighborhoods and housing markets.

Ruling out trouble: Unacceptable behaviour and its control in Hong Kong’s public housing

Resident satisfaction is contingent not only on housing design and construction, but also on neighbourhood quality. However, many neighbourhoods around the world are distressed by neighbourhood nuisances or unacceptable behaviour of the residents. While interventionist approaches and incentives have been adopted in many countries to curb these problems, a punitive measure is used in Hong Kong instead. The Housing Department launched the Marking Scheme for Tenancy Enforcement in Public Housing Estates immediately after the SARS epidemic. The scheme operates as a penalty-point system where sitting tenants will be expelled from public housing if they receive sixteen points for the misdeeds they have committed. Yet, the marking scheme itself was put onto the stage without any prior public consultation. Besides, it has been criticised for its unfair and tenure-biased enforcement. Also, whether the scheme is widely accepted is highly doubtful. Against this background, this study aims to explore the tenants’ views regarding residents’ unacceptable behaviour and the marking scheme in Hong Kong’s public housing. The findings of this research offer valuable insights into the perceived extent and causes of the neighbourhood problems. Moreover, this research lets the public administrators know the acceptability of the marking scheme among public housing tenants.

Generating Action and Responding to Local Issues: Collective Efficacy in Context

Recent research suggests that communities can be collectively efficacious without dense networks and kith and kinship relations. Yet few studies examine how collective efficacy is generated and sustained in the absence of close social ties. Using in-depth interviews with local residents and key stakeholders in two collectively efficacious suburbs in Brisbane, Australia, this study explores the role of social ties and networks in shaping residents' sense of active engagement and perceptions of community capacity. Results suggest that strong social bonds among residents are not necessary for the development of social cohesion and informal social control. Instead, collective representations or symbols of ‘community’ provide residents with a sense of social cohesion, trust and a perceived willingness of others to respond to problems of crime and disorder. Yet there is limited evidence that these collectively efficacious communities comprise actively engaged residents. In both communities, participants report a strong reliance on key institutions and organisations to manage and respond to a variety of problems, from neighbourhood nuisances to crime and disorder. These findings suggest a more a nuanced understanding of collective efficacy theory is needed.

Neighbourhood Nuisances in The Bahamas: The Case of New Providence

This paper discusses the issue of neighbourhood nuisances in The Bahamas using New Providence as a case study. Despite there being a legal framework that defines actions which are classified as nuisances, and thereby defines actions which are illegal, it is apparent that most residents suffer from nuisances in their neighbourhoods. Results from a convenience sample of 414 adults living in New Providence, show that residents are very tolerant of nuisances and rarely involve the police, even when the activity is criminal. It is hypothesized that residents' tolerance to nuisances arises from a complex interaction of innate tolerance, apathy and a feeling that the police are ineffective. In common with studies done elsewhere, noise was the biggest nuisance to most people; this may suggest that revised legislation is required to mitigate this pervasive social ill.

“Neighborhood Assets” or “Neighborhood Nuisances?” National Anxieties in Katherine Mayo's Mother India

“Neighborhood Assets” or “Neighborhood Nuisances?” National Anxieties in Katherine Mayo's Mother India

Dogs: A Continuing and Common Neighborhood Nuisance of New Providence, The Bahamas

AbstractIn 1841, the first Dog License Act officially described dogs as a nuisance. From then on, observers have repeatedly noted that dogs were a nuisance and that their barking was probably their prime irritant (Fielding, 2006). Three fatal dog attacks since 1991 have highlighted the extent to which dogs can be more than a nuisance (Burrows, Fielding, & Mather, 2004). This study reports the findings from 496 interviews—collected from a convenience sample with a quota—to assess the importance of dogs as a nuisance in the context of all neighborhood nuisances and to determine respondents' reactions to them. This study found dogs were to be the most commonly reported nuisance and the second most important nuisance in neighborhoods. Almost two-thirds of respondents took no action about the nuisances caused by dogs. Compared to their reactions to other nuisances, respondents were least likely to inform the police about dog nuisances. Reasons offered for these reactions may include antiquated laws and a feeling that citizens are not empowered to alter the status quo.

Subsidized Parking and Neighborhood Nuisances: A Supplement

Instead of exogenous price of private parking in Merriman’s (1997) model, this supplement generates a more realistic result with an endogenous price of non-university parking. The spillover effect under a flexible price of private parking would be more serious than that of perfect elastic supply of private parking. In other words, Merriman may underestimate the spillover effect of a subsidized-parking policy.

Subsidized Parking and Neighborhood Nuisances

Expansions of subsidized parking may encourage some travelers to switch from public transportation to auto travel. This note demonstrates that, if parking demand is price elastic, a one unit increase in (subsidized) free parking will result in more than one additional parker, adding to neighborhood spillovers.

Proposed New City Zoning Performance Standard for Noise in Chicago

The older concept of industrial zoning was based on limiting use of city space to industries and specified the type of industry according to the manufacturing process involved. The modern concept of establishing zoning and prevention of neighborhood nuisances is on the basis of a performance standard rather than arbitrary use classification. In the new proposed zoning ordinance in Chicago, maximum allowable performance criteria are set in regard to various nuisances such as noise, smoke, air pollution, odors, traffic, sewerage, potential explosion, and vibration. This paper will discuss the limiting noise spectrum which has been set up for the City of Chicago. It was decided that the limiting levels should apply to the residential boundary nearest the plant. This implies that if a plant finds itself surrounded by other industrial property, it can make more noise than if it borders on a residential district. From the experience of many years of study of urban noise conditions, the following limiting spectrum was reached for the City of Chicago: Below 75 150 300 600 1200 2400 Above 75 150 300 600 1200 2400 4800 4800 72 67 59 55 46 40 34 32 For the boundary between industrial and commercial areas (for instance, shopping centers), the same relative spectrum was chosen, but all the levels were raised by 7 db. It should be emphasized that this standard was determined empirically for Chicago and would not apply necessarily to other communities. For instance, in many suburban communities much lower levels might be specified. After specification of the above spectrum, the principle has been tested by observations of zoning experts and building inspection officials and has been approved by these agencies. Since the drawing up of the standard, one Chicago plant has been silenced to the above specification and the neighborhood noise complaints eliminated.