Localized effects of confiscated and re-allocated real estate mafia assets

Boeri, Filippo ORCID: 0000-0001-8249-104X, Di Cataldo, Marco ORCID: 0000-0002-2808-1776 and Pietrostefani, Elisabetta ORCID: 0000-0002-8115-1868 (2024) Localized effects of confiscated and re-allocated real estate mafia assets. Journal of Economic Geography, 24 (2). pp. 219-240.

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Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Asset confiscation regimes are present throughout Europe. The Italian State implements a policy stipulating the confiscation of real estate assets from individuals convicted of mafia-related crimes and the re-allocation of these assets to new uses. The policy of confiscation (confisca) and re-allocation (destinazione) is meant to act as both an anti-mafia measure and a way to compensate local communities by converting real estate assets into public amenities. We evaluate the effects of this programme on local areas by estimating its impact on property values in the proximity of confiscations and re-allocations. The findings reveal a negative effect of confiscations and a positive effect of re-allocations on housing prices, mainly visible in mafia strongholds. Both of these trends can be observed in the time periods that directly follow instances of confiscation and re-allocation and appear to be highly localized. A drop in organized crime activity in the streets where re-allocations have occurred could account for some of the gain in property values caused by re-allocations. These findings have implications for the effectiveness of anti-mafia initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life in areas where criminal activity is more prevalent.</jats:p>

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Divisions:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > School of Environmental Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	22 Dec 2023 11:33
Last Modified:	10 Apr 2024 03:19
DOI:	10.1093/jeg/lbad035
Related URLs:	Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3177629