Environmental Criminology
Evolution, Theory, and Practice
📘 About This Book
The field of environmental criminology is a staple theoretical framework in contemporary criminological theory. This fully revised and expanded edition of the world’s first comprehensive and sole-authored textbook on this influential school of criminological thought covers a wide range of topics, including: the origins of environmental criminology; the primary theoretical frameworks, such as routine activity theory, geometry of crime, rational choice theory, and the pattern theory of crime; the practical application of environmental criminology; an examination of how theories are operationalized and tested; and policy implications for the practice of crime prevention. As well as these popular topics, Martin Andresen also discusses a number of topics that are at the leading edge of research within environmental criminology. New to the second edition are chapters on empirical support for the various models of crime prevention covered and on the growing literature on "the journey to crime". This text will be ideal for courses on crime prevention, where students are often encouraged to consider policy problems and apply theory to practice. This book offers up environmental criminology as a theoretical framework for making sense of complex neighborhood problems, so it is also perfect for courses on geography of crime, crime analysis, and, indeed, environmental criminology. It would also be a good supplement for courses on criminological theory.
📖 Summary
Martin A. Andresen’s Environmental Criminology, published in 2019, stands as a fully revised and expanded edition of the world’s first comprehensive and sole-authored textbook dedicated to this influential school of criminological thought. Spanning 353 pages, the book serves as an essential staple theoretical framework within contemporary criminology, shifting the primary focus away from the traditional study of criminal offenders and toward the physical and social environments in which crimes actually occur. Andresen meticulously guides readers through the intellectual origins of environmental criminology, establishing how the discipline evolved to examine the interaction between space, place, and criminal behavior. The core of the text explores the foundational theoretical frameworks that define the field. Andresen details routine activity theory, the geometry of crime, rational choice theory, and the pattern theory of crime. Each framework is broken down to explain how criminal events are shaped by everyday human movements, the presence or absence of capable guardians, the layout of urban environments, and the calculated decisions offenders make regarding potential targets. Beyond laying out these classical theories, the author bridges the gap between academic abstraction and real-world utility by examining the practical applications of environmental criminology in everyday crime prevention. In addition to these established concepts, the 2019 edition ventures into advanced territory, discussing topics at the leading edge of contemporary criminological research. Andresen carefully reviews how these complex theories are operationalized and tested empirically, giving readers a transparent look at the methodological tools researchers use to study crime patterns spatially. Furthermore, the book addresses the profound policy implications that arise from viewing crime through an environmental lens, demonstrating how urban planning, neighborhood design, and targeted policing strategies can be optimized to reduce opportunities for criminal acts. Ultimately, Andresen provides a thorough, rigorous, and forward-looking resource that cements environmental criminology as a vital component of modern social science and crime reduction efforts.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Serves as the first comprehensive and sole-authored textbook in its field
Covers both foundational theories and cutting-edge research topics
Clearly explains how theoretical frameworks are operationalized and tested
Provides direct connections between academic theory and practical crime prevention policies
⚠️ Cons
May be overly academic or dense for casual readers outside of the social sciences
Focuses heavily on structural and spatial theories rather than deep psychological profiling of offenders
❓ FAQ
What is the main focus of Environmental Criminology by Martin A. Andresen? +
The book focuses on how physical and social environments influence criminal events, serving as a comprehensive textbook on environmental criminological theory.
Who is the author of this book? +
The book is authored by Martin A. Andresen.
When was this revised edition published? +
This fully revised and expanded edition was published in 2019.
What primary theoretical frameworks are covered in the text? +
The text covers routine activity theory, the geometry of crime, rational choice theory, and the pattern theory of crime.
Does the book discuss practical applications and policy implications? +
Yes, it examines the practical application of environmental criminology, how theories are tested, and policy implications for crime prevention.
