Influence of urban layout on crime incidence using UAV images

• Published in: Spatial information research (Online) Vol. 33; no. 3; p. 20
• Main Authors: Bicer, Yusuf, Roy, Shouraseni Sen, Grant, Richard, Mader, Christopher, Sarafraz, Amin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Nature Singapore 01.06.2025; 대한공간정보학회
• Subjects: Case Report; Database Management; Earth and Environmental Science; Geographical Information Systems/Cartography; Geography; Remote Sensing/Photogrammetry; 공학일반; Motor vehicle theft; Crime; Unmanned aerial vehicle [UAV]; Streetlights; Urban layout; Aggravated assault; Larceny
• ISSN: 2366-3286; 2366-3294
• DOI: 10.1007/s41324-025-00618-z

Urban design and layout significantly influence crime patterns and community safety. Our study examines the effects of local-level urban layout on crime incidence in Coral Gables, a planned, higher-income area in Miami-Dade County, Florida. We assess key environmental attributes, including streetlights, layout, and sidewalks. Our analysis incorporates crime data, UAV orthophotos, and site-specific factors [e.g., streetlight illumination and sidewalk accessibility] to reveal spatiotemporal crime patterns. These patterns exhibit clustering and spatial unevenness. Neighborhood variability, including walkable, accessible neighborhoods, water barriers, gated community seclusion, and perimeter zones bordering lower-income and mixed-use development, influences crime distribution. The impact of streetlights varied across the city, with greater illumination, particularly from residential areas, acting as a significant deterrent against criminal activity. The northern area of Coral Gables aligns with higher crime concentration. Sidewalk accessibility affects crime rates, highlighting the importance of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. Multi-residential buildings exhibit higher crime rates. Our findings underscore the significance of thoughtful urban planning and granular insights into micro-spatial patterns, which can inform targeted safety enhancements within specific neighborhood locations. Based on the current crime landscape in Coral Gables, we identify exciting avenues for future research with practical implications for crime prevention.