Neighbourhood policy and responsiveness after regime change: The case of St Petersburg, Florida

Abstract

This study evaluates the responsiveness of a city, undergoing regime change and racial clashes, through its neighbourhood policy. Three neighbourhoods of different socioeconomic level and different organisational capability (an active neighbourhood association) are compared here. The findings are that the policy is effective in reducing criminality and improving property values in the targeted neighbourhoods. The racial disturbances still put in doubt whether similar progress can be achieved in neighbourhoods with weak or non‐existent organisational capability.