Open AccessWhere and Why Do Illicit Businesses Cluster? Comparing Sexually Oriented Massage Parlors in Los Angeles County and New York City
Author(s) -
John J. Chin,
Lois M. Takahashi,
Douglas J. Wiebe
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of planning education and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.965
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1552-6577
pISSN - 0739-456X
DOI - 10.1177/0739456x19859637
Subject(s) - cluster analysis , immigration , geography , massage , cluster (spacecraft) , gerontology , demography , sociology , medicine , computer science , archaeology , machine learning , alternative medicine , pathology , programming language
Immigrant-run sexually oriented massage parlors embody the intersection of important planning issues, including inequitable distribution of controversial land uses and economic functions of illicit businesses. We analyzed geocoded data from a ratings website to examine sexually oriented massage parlor clustering in Los Angeles County (LAC) and New York City (NYC). In LAC, clustering occurred in areas with more Asian and Hispanic residents. In NYC, clustering occurred mostly in Manhattan and was negatively associated with household size. Local regulation did not appear to affect clustering. Study findings hold lessons about both more effective regulation and enabling economic development in immigrant populations.