pf08-014 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

C�,mp�ehen�i�; Nei,�hb<�tn-h�x�d Stu�ic�: Charicterii.in�� Deelinc base loss. Abandonment is also a causal mechanism that accelerates and perpetuates urban decline (ibid. p. 15). In many countries, the ownership structure means that empty units increase the rents that must be paid by remaining tenants, forcing some to leave (particularly those in low-paid employment who are not entitled to housing allowances), (Kamal-Chaoui 2001). As a result the number of vacant units further increase. Accordino and Johnson (2000) note that in the 95 U.S. central cities where the problem of vacant and abandoned property is confined to specific neighbourhoods, half reported that 20% or less of the community is affected, and almost one-third of the cities reported that 21% to 40% of the total community is affected by the problem. Table 2 demonstrates that housing and neighbourhood vitality was reported as the most influenced factor, followed by crime prevention efforts, commercial district vitality, and overall quality of life. Vacant and abandoned property have moderate impacts on assessed property values and fire prevention, and less significant impact on the vitality of industrial district (ibid.). Table 2. Community Quality Factors Most Affected by Vacant and Abandoned Property3. Source: adapted from Accordino and Johnson 2000. Deteriorating houses, apartments, commercial and industrial buildings, and lots undermine the vitality of city neighbourhoods. Glennerster and co-authors (1999) emphasise that the more unattractive the housing and the area's facilities, the more segregated the population, the lower the social and human capital of the area, the less capable are the individuals and the area of attracting jobs. The research Housing and Neighbourhood Renewal: Britain's New Urban Challenge (Carley 1990) confirms a serious national housing problem in Britain. Nearly half a million council dwellings in Britain are in poor condition4. The EHCS estimates that in England 4.8 per cent of the total dwelling stock is unfit, 2.5 per cent lacks one or more of the basic amenities, and 12.9 per cent is in poor repair. In total, nearly 15 per cent of the stock is in poor condition (ibid.). 3 Scores were determined as follows: Respondents were asked to state whether the effects of vacant and abandoned properties are (i) Highly Negative; (ii) Somewhat Negative; or (iii) Have No Effect. Responses were weighted: Highly Negative 1; Somewhat Nega6ve .5; No Effect -1 and summed. N= 149. ° Poor condi[ion is defined as being unfit, lacking in basic amenities or in disrepair, that is a need for urgent repairs to the external fabric of the property estimated to cost in excess of £1,000 (Carley 1990). .-� .� 21