NCJ Number
197229
Journal
Security Journal Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: 2001 Pages: 43-62
Date Published
2001
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This paper explores Newman's largely untested theory of "defensible space" and questions the utility of these ideas in contemporary crime prevention initiatives such as "secured by design."
Abstract
The article criticizes and rejects the traditional statistical approach to measuring crime in favor of an investigation into the perceptions of crime and fear of crime. It investigates the perceptions of various stakeholders in society with regard to traditional British housing designs to discover whether there is a commonality or plurality of perspectives and to contribute unique insights into the design-affects-crime debate. The article also reviews objectivity and the mapping of crime patterns; the subjective element to "defensible space;" research methodology; the qualitative investigation; quantitative data analysis; and the "hierarchy of vulnerability." The paper focuses on aspects of the design-affects-crime debate, and provides a straightforward, design-specific, perceptual perspective which powerfully supports Newman's theory. Tables, figures, notes