The report, Exploring Solutions to Graffiti in Newcastle upon Tyne, was written by Northumbria University academics. It offers some alternatives to stringent measures such as zero tolerance and increased surveillance, including provision of legal sites to be used by graffiti writers.
Duncan Fuller, research co-ordinator, said that many graffiti writers welcomed the idea of legal sites.
He said: "While they argued that such sites would never totally rid the city of graffiti, their development would underline a commitment from city authorities to respond positively and innovatively to young people's needs and supposedly subcultural ways of living."
The launch of the report was supported by an exhibition of spray can art at Raby Street Youth Centre, in Byker.
This is being supported by Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, recognising spray can art's place as a cultural activity in Newcastle and Gateshead's bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2008.
