The acception and integration of a large number of migrants and refugees poses major challenges to cities and communities. These concern not only the areas of work, housing or education but also safety. Thus, the separation of ethnic groups in particular urban neighborhoods (meaning the so-called ethnic segregation) has been classified as a risk factor that increases the risk for residents of becoming perpetrators or victims of crime.
The project "Migration and Safety in the City" (Migration und Sicherheit in der Stadt - migsst) aims to review this assumption through a comprehensive and interdisciplinary research approach. From different scientific perspectives, it will be examined whether this is the case and which risk factors and potentials can be identified and by which means they can be influenced. Through surveys, interviews and statistical evaluations, data on migration, integration and segregation will be collected and analysed together with crime situation pictures and city and neighbourhood specific data. An accompanying research regarding ethical perspectives and jurisprudential studies complement the empirical social science work.
New approaches to crime prevention will be developed based on the findings obtained. In addition, a planning and decision-making model for intervening police work will be drawn up and a catalogue of requirements for communication and cooperative action strategies in neighbourhoods characterized by migration will be established. At the same time, the legal framework and suitable courses of action for police and preventive measures will be highlighted.
The Endowed Professorship for Crime Prevention and Risk Management at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, led by Prof. Dr. Rita Haverkamp, investigates aspects of immigrant crime using official statistics as well as dark figures (victimization studies) and develops crime prevention approaches.
The three-year project is funded with a total of 1.9 million euros by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research within the field "Civil Security - Migration Issues" in the framework program "Research for Civil Security" (see www.sifo.de). It is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Bernhard Frevel of the University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration and management of North Rhine-Westphalia.
For further information on the security program of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, visit www.sifo.de.
Project Website
