Spatial Analysis of Urban Conflicts
This paper investigates urban conflicts that took place in the Quebec City metropolitan area between 1990 and 2000. Analyses show that some population groups are more disposed than others to get involved in conflict activity. They also stress that there are specific built environments which are more prone than others to generating such activity. Statistical analysis of seven variables related to social and urban contexts shows that the frequency of conflicts is greater, on the one hand, in areas where small shop density is the highest and buildings are the oldest, and on the other, where the population has high levels of education and a flexible work schedule. Analyses considering what is at stake present similar results, except on two points. First, conflicts with environmental stakes do not appear to be linked to a particular level of education or a flexible work schedule. Thus even if population density shows statistical independence from all variables when the conflicts are considered as a whole, it appears specifically dependent with respect to conflicts involving transportation or social stakes.