Greening Blighted Neighborhoods Reduces Gun Violence

A rigorous, Philadelphia-based study found that two key blight remediation programs — restoring abandoned buildings and greening vacant lots — significantly and sustainably reduced firearm violence.

Branas, C. C., Kondo, M. C., Murphy, S. M., South, E. C., Polsky, D., & MacDonald, J. M. (2016). Urban blight remediation as a cost-beneficial solution to firearm violence. American Journal of Public Health, 106(12), 2158–2164.

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