NCJ Number
41387
Date Published
1976
Length
42 pages
Annotation
AN IN-DEPTH POST-CONSTRUCTION EVALUATION OF SIX TOWNHOUSE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SACRAMENTO (CA) AREA, UNDERTAKEN TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE NECESSARY FACTORS FOR 'DEFENSIBLE SPACE' ARE BEING PROVIDED IN THE SUBURBS TODAY.
Abstract
ACCORDING TO NEWMAN'S THEORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN, THE SECURITY OF A BUILDING IS ENHANCED BY TWO DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS WHICH ASSURE 'DEFENSIBLE SPACE': 1) A HIGH LEVEL OF SURVEILLANCE WITHIN THE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT'S OPEN SPACE, AND 2) A LEGIBLE DIVISION OF THE HOUSING PLAN INTO ZONES OF STRONG TERRITORIAL INFLUENCE. IN THIS STUDY, THE PROVISION OF SURVEILLANCE AND TERRITORIALITY WAS EVALUATED AND COMPARED. ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SIX RESIDENTS OF THESE TOWNHOUSES WERE INTERVIEWED TO DETERMINE THEIR PERCEPTION OF CRIME AND THE DEVELOPMENT'S SECURITY FEATURES. IT WAS FOUND THAT MANY OF THE NEEDED DESIGN FEATURES WERE LACKING IN EACH OF THE DEVELOPMENTS. ADEQUATE SURVEILLANCE OF THE OPEN SPACES WAS OFTEN MADE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE. A SENSE OF TERRITORIAL OBLIGATION FOR THE REGULATION OF OPEN SPACE USERS WAS NOT ENCOURAGED. BASED ON THIS STUDY, THE AUTHORS RECOMMEND CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DESIGN OF TOWNHOUSES. THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE DETAILED IN THE CONCLUDING SECTION. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...DMC