Defensible Space Modifications in Row House Communities (A Methodological Review) (From Link Between Crime and the Built Environment, Volume 2, P C71-C87, 1980, by Tetsuro Motoyama et al - See NCJ-79544)

• NCJ Number: 79551
• Author(s): H Rubenstein; T Motoyama; P Hartjens
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 17 pages
• Corporate Author: American Institutes for Research
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Available on microfiche from NCJRS as NCJ-79544.

Annotation

This review assesses I. R. Kohn's, K. A. Franck's, and A. S. Fox's evaluation of the effects of housing design changes in two New York City public housing developments on crime levels, resident satisfaction and feelings of security, and the maintenance of the physical environment. The physical changes were based on Newman's defensible space guidelines.

Abstract

The study began as a pre-post evaluation of physical design changes at Clason Point Public Housing Development in New York City. The study was later expanded to include Markham Gardens, and two control sites located in Baltimore Md., and Washington, D.C. Extensive baseline data were collected through resident surveys which addressed a veriety of psychological characteristics. In addition, a grounds inventory form was developed to collect baseline and evaluative data on the physical appearance and use of the grounds. Structured observations of resident behavior were used to evaluate the effects of modifications, and archival crime data obtained from the New York Housing Authority were analyzed. The mixed results of the study raise significant questions about the overall effectiveness of the physical design modifications. The case study and the use of comparison developments add little information on what works, how, and why with regard to defensible space.