NCJ Number
117997
Date Published
1989
Length
58 pages
Annotation
This booklet instructs developers, architects, town planners, policymakers, and householders in the value of environmental design in crime prevention.
Abstract
The booklet focuses on environmental design as a means of creating "defensible space," which makes clear which spaces belong to whom and encourages residents of each space to defend it from outsiders. Other elements of effective defensible space are a design that facilitates surveillance of the territory and encourages residents to interact with one another in developing social bonds that in turn nurture cooperation in reducing crime and the fear of crime. Practical advice for implementing crime prevention through environmental design details how to implement the concepts of territoriality, surveillance, access control, target hardening, and home protection. Aspects of territoriality are space hierarchies, transitional filters, penetrability, image, management for security, and public housing carparks. Elements of surveillance include natural surveillance; formal, organized surveillance; and the use of closed-circuit television. Illustrations are provided for the various environmental design concepts discussed. 65-item bibliography.