Extent of Satisfaction with Living in De Baarsjes and De Bijlmer in Amsterdam

• NCJ Number: 221543
• Journal: Acta Criminologica Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: 2007 Pages: 1-9
• Author(s): I. Sagel-Grande; L. Toornvliet
• Date Published: 2007
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: South Africa
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Annotation

This study examined the satisfaction with living among various ethnic groups, in the districts of De Baarsjes and in De Bijlmer (the South-East) in Amsterdam, where the districts differed with regard to environmental design and population mix.

Abstract

For all ethnic groups, global anxieties and city concerns, except crime-related aspects, were not decisive with regard to the satisfaction of living in a certain district. In addition, victimization experiences were not of much influence. On a district level familiar social climate (except for the Africans), an inviting social climate (except for the Moroccans), friendly people in the district, and good relations with the neighbors proved to be most influential. The findings also indicate that the relationship seems to be rather normal in the South-East, whereas in De Baarsjes there are indices of certain doubts (foreigners do not contribute to the general wealth) and a general mild alertness among the Dutch. On the other hand, foreigners in South-East reported more negative experiences with the Dutch foreigners in De Baarsjes. Several important differences between the ethnic groups in the two districts emerged. For the Turks, it is important that there is little chance to become victims of property crime, while the Moroccans value the variable that the district is clean and that physical incivilities are unlikely high. For the Surinamese, unfriendly treatment and concerns about criminality in Amsterdam cause concern, however, this does not spoil their level of satisfaction with living in the district too much. Lastly, for the Africans, the absolute decisive variable is a safe social climate in the district. ‘Crime-related Fears within the Context of New Anxieties and Community-Based Crime Prevention” is the subtitle of the research project of which these research results form a part of. This research examined the extent of satisfaction of people with their neighborhood focusing on both the negative and positive aspects. Tables, bibliography