NCJ Number
58717
Journal
American Behavioral Scientist Volume: 20 Issue: 2, Dated: (NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1976) Pages: 275-288
Date Published
1976
Length
14 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER ADDRESSES THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE MANMADE OR PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT OF A PARTICULAR AREA CAN INFLUENCE ITS CRIME INCIDENCE, AND IF MANIPULATING THAT ENVIRONMENT CAN REDUCE CRIME.
Abstract
THE ARTICLE EXAMINES SOME OF THE PROBLEMS OF INTERACTION BETWEEN THE DESIGN COMMUNITY (ARCHITECTS AND URBAN PLANNERS) AND CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION IN BOTH THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL SPHERES. THE WORK OF THREE WRITERS ON THE SUBJECT IS CITED. JANE JACOBS IN 'THE DEATH AND LIFE OF THE GREAT AMERICAN CITIES' ASSERTS THAT LAND USE DICTATES SOCIAL BEHAVIOR WHICH AFFECTS CRIME. THE ARCHITECT ANGEL ASSERTED IN 1968 THAT POPULATION DENSITY WAS CONDUCIVE TO CRIME. ANOTHER ARCHITECT, OSCAR NEWMAN, DEVELOPED SEVERAL HYPOTHESES REGARDING SUCH FACTORS AS BUILDING HEIGHT AND OPEN SPACE. IN SPITE OF THESE STUDIES, THE CRIMINOLOGICAL COMMUNITY HAS TENDED TO REJECT OR IGNORE DESIGN THEORY. THE ARTICLE CITES THREE KEY REASONS REGARDING THE LACK OF INTEREST IN URBAN DESIGN DISPLAYED BY CRIMINOLOGISTS. THESE ARE THE NATURE OF THE DISCIPLINE OF CRIMINOLOGY, INCORRECT PERCEPTIONS OF WHAT CRIME PREVENTION VIA URBAN DESIGN INVOLVES, AND THE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS OF IMPLEMENTING CRIME PREVENTION IN A PREVIOUSLY BUILT ENVIRONMENT. IT IS STATED THAT CRIME PREVENTION VIA URBAN DESIGN WILL EXERT A GROWING INFLUENCE ON CRIME PREVENTION, BUT ITS IMPACT WILL BE LIMITED BY THE PRACTICAL OBSTACLES CITED. IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE THESE IMPACTS PROBABLY WILL BE A GUIDE TO: (1) DESIGNERS, OFFICIALS, AND CITIZENS AT VARIOUS STAGES OF THE PLANNING PROCESS; AND (2) DEPLOYING POLICE AND OTHER ANTICRIME FORCES. (MJW)