A GIS based method for assessing the association between urban development and crime pattern in Sungai Petani, Kedah Malaysia

Abstract

Physical development plays a vital role in the urban area that consists of the needs of the physical structure and social process that challenges towards the improvement of the local's well-being. The research evaluates the relationship between urban development and crime pattern using spatial analysis. The research uses satellite imagery data and remote sensing technique to detected urban changes from 2000 until 2013 in Kedah, Malaysia. The result of the research is generated a spatial analysis that identified the hotspots and directional of criminal activities in the study area. The result indicated that they are a positive relationship between urban development and criminal activities, particularly violent crime, property crime and drug abuse case. The result from in-depth interview with the locals indicated that majority of locals in the study area felt unsafe with criminal activities occurring within their neighborhood and negatively impacting their well-being. Industrial and commercial area identified as the hotspot of the criminal activities in the study area. The research can help government and police department to curb the increasing number of criminal activities within the urban setting and achieved their aim to reduce criminal activities index annually.