• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.152-161
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• 2013

This study attempted to test the causal effect of structural characteristics of metropolitan neighborhoods on crime, based on the ecological model of crime explanation. To this end, a Negative Binomial Regression analysis was performed for Seoul's 424 Dong Districts. Results showed that the incidence of homicide increases as much as the scales of economic disadvantage, family disruption, and commercial land use go worse. It suggested that family integrity is one of the most strong and consistent factors that could deter crime in neighborhood's contexts. Economic disadvantage and commercial land use were also critical targets as crime-generating factors. Reasoning with the results of past studies implied that neighborhood-specific approaches need to be developed for effective crime prevention. Although a few limitations could raise a caveat against such interpretation of the results, the value of this research would not be simply denied as the first attempt to utilize all Dong districts of Seoul. It is expected that this study contributes to activating Dong level research and developing effective crime control policy.