Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
Abstract
The paper discusses the origin, scope, purpose, and reasons for the manifestation, as well as the principles and meaning of crime prevention through the concept of environmental design. The study’s relevance is expressed in the lack of actual knowledge and facts about the essence, meaning, significance, and nature of the manifestation of the CPTED strategy. Consequently, this phenomenon has revealed a problem that needs to be correctly investigated and resolved. The research was conducted based on the literary review and analysis, synthesis, and systematization of the data received. This paper provides unique and significant information for the best understanding of the nature of the concept for its further application from theoretical and practical points of view. Moreover, the results made it possible to comprehensively evaluate CPTED as an effective and proven method of ensuring safety in the construction and architecture of buildings. According to the author, CPTED is one of the most reliable and recommended ways to reduce, eradicate and prevent the expression of criminal activity both in public and private territories.
Keywords: Crime prevention through environmental design, CPTED.
Introduction
The problem of ensuring a high level of security and peace for citizens is among the most urgent and essential. Unfortunately, several highly developed modern cities and countries cannot offer their residents maximum comfort, coziness, and safety, even considering the existing potential (Haghlesan & Hajivand, 2018). Following this fact, there is an increasing need to turn to new forms for solving such issues – for example, using crime prevention through environmental design concepts.
It should be emphasized that CPTED is a strategy for minimizing and eradicating criminal activity with the help of design elements and the construction of the environment. This model of fighting crime is based on several theories: architecture, urban design, and environmental criminology (Armitage & Monchuk, 2019). Moreover, it involves the improvement of territory in close cooperation with housing developers, planners, and, indeed, the police (Armitage & Monchuk, 2019). One should note that this paper will correctly shed light on the essence, nature, and critical components of CPTED; the information obtained can be used in actual practical activities. CPTED is a unique method of crime prevention through the prism of certain situational factors and interaction with the environment.
Analysis of CPTED
Origin
It is known that such a concept as CPTED has existed for more than half a century. The methodology was developed already in 1960 in the US to control unauthorized interference of criminals in the personal lives of law-abiding citizens (Arabi et al., 2020). People believed that urban renewal strategies were destroying the social framework necessary for self-control in this period. Thus, the foundations of CPTED were first laid by the famous architect Oscar Newman, who created a unique concept of “protected space.” However, it is precisely such an influential and well-known person in sociology as C. Ray Jeffery who approached the question of studying CPTED’s concept profoundly and thoroughly (Book, 2021). The professor of sociology, in his works, conveyed the idea that nature can also be aimed at implementing protection and security from intruders. In his opinion, people should change the artificial or natural environment in such a way as to provide safer places, affecting behavior (Book, 2021). Jeffery continued to modify and adjust the direction of CPTED until the 90s of the last century.
Several scientists, researchers, criminologists, architects, and designers took note of their “colleague’s” thoughts. They began to form both their vision on CPTED and develop the already established and specified elements of this tactic. It is noteworthy that Jeffrey laid the fundamental bases and principles in the artificial and natural environment manipulation program. Nonetheless, later CPTED models were based on the Newman standards, the most famous author of which is Timothy D. Crowe. Accordingly, the methodology has developed and improved in the future, but even today, there are some gaps in the field that need to be approached carefully and cautiously.
Scope of Application
CPTED covers all types of public facilities, such as residential and commercial areas, industrial facilities, educational institutions, public parks, and more. It is an up-to-date and modern approach actively implemented on a global scale (Wahab et al., 2018). According to the original ideas, it is known for sure that this method was supposed to affect physical indicators (Arabi et al., 2020). However, over time, CPTED began to pay special and close attention to the social aspects of public life in addition to security enhancement development procedures (Arabi et al., 2020). To date, CPTED is used as a measure to protect both objects and subjects without any damage and restrictions for nature and the construction itself. Essentially, CPTED is flexible and diverse in terms of use, and its key variables can be successfully integrated into most crime prevention programs (Fennelly & Perry, 2018). In particular, this is necessary in order to cope with several problems related to residential areas, public places, working areas, and some institutions.
Purpose
Environment Protection
By its essence and nature, CPTED has a reasonably wide variety of goals and objectives, as well as methods and means for use and application in practice. In fact, CPTED is a preventive and proactive decision-making model; its tactics minimize and eliminate potential risks to citizens’ safety and the recurrence of crimes. At the same time, this strategy promotes comprehensive positive and favorable social interaction (De Silva et al., 2021). Furthermore, Haghlesan and Hajivand (2018) note that the concept approaches are a purposeful process of changing environmental components regarding efficiency, rationality, reliability, and productivity. According to CPTED ideas, the living environment should be designed in such a way as to prevent possible violations and reduce fear among residents of megacities or rural areas. Consequently, CPTED is a prevalent and used approach to urban planning to reduce offenses and improve the quality of life in society.
Maslow’s Theory
It is also reasonable to make another assumption about CPTED. According to Mihinjac and Saville (2019), this method also satisfies people’s natural needs based on the pyramid of A. Maslow. Based on this position, as soon as people receive guarantees of survival, they begin to think about the security of every aspect of their lives: financial, emotional, and physical security. Nonetheless, the need for safety does not mean that an individual needs an armored door and bars on the windows – it will be enough to use the fundamental elements of CPTED correctly.
Reasons for Referring to CPTED
As practice shows, there is a close relationship between the level of environmental safety and compliance with the CPTED’s components. As a rule, street networks and residential buildings with insufficient supervision are more likely to push people to commit crimes, riots, thefts, and robberies (De Silva et al., 2021). Moreover, in this case, some criminals are not afraid of being discovered and bear special responsibility for the act they committed. Accordingly, significant deficiencies in the physical environment provoke and push offenders to commit atrocities (Wahab et al., 2018). On the one hand, the low level of CPTED and surveillance capabilities cause fear, concern, and apprehension (Cozens & Sun, 2019). On the other hand, the special protection of the building can also cause a number of significant problems (Cozens & Sun, 2019). Admittedly, the lowest proportion of crime occurs in areas with advanced and developed components of CPTED, while disregard for these fundamental principles undoubtedly leads to banditry, vandalism, theft, and robbery (Cregg, 2018). In accordance with these facts, a competent and thoughtful approach to implementing security is necessary within the framework of CPTED.
CPTED’ Principles
There is a vast abundance of various ways, methods, tactics, and strategies to increase security and ensure positive social interaction. In this case, one should emphasize several central “dogmas” of CPTED – natural surveillance, natural access control, territoriality, as well as maintenance and interaction with society (Wahab et al., 2018). Researchers note improved territoriality, management, and supervision, pronounced territory designation, and improved perception of security using these concepts (Wahab et al., 2018). Indeed, within the framework of CPTED, the environment directly affects people’s behavior, regardless of whether they are aware of this phenomenon or not. The design of terrain through CPTED elements makes it possible to reduce the likelihood of criminal behavior and activity. This strategy can be aimed at creating a more favorable environment and community security. In order to develop a complete and more detailed picture of the understanding of CPTED, it is necessary to consider these components in-depth and in detail.
Surveillance
First of all, one should assume such a critical element as natural surveillance. This aspect makes it possible to determine the risks of committing deviant behavior and actions due to the visibility of offenders for passers-by, tourists, residents of houses, or employees of enterprises. Thus, a hooligan feels increased close attention to his person, and anxiety and stress. Natural surveillance is carried out by placing physical objects, occupations, and people in such a way as to ensure maximum visibility of the space and its users. Naturally, this is especially necessary to create more “friendly” social contacts between owners of private and public areas.
As a rule, an individual feels more comfortable and safer when they can see and be seen. Naturalistic observation directs the placement of elements such as lighting, doors, walls, windows and landscape to maximize the expansion of space. For example, such elements as lighting can be perceived by passers-by not only from the point of view of beauty and aesthetics but also from the point of view of safety (Fennelly & Perry, 2018). Moreover, activities that unite neighbors, such as special events and parties, help to create visible social interaction on the streets. Planning travel conditions that increase pedestrian and bicycle traffic can also work beneficially. Installing security equipment such as cameras is another way of surveillance.
Access Control
Secondly, natural access control is also an equally important component in terrain design. Such control directs people to enter and exit the premises, placing entrances, exits, fences, landscape, lighting, road signs, and speed limiters. This can restrict access or control the flow and enhance security by limiting access to potential targets and creating an awareness of risk for potential criminals. Another example of access control includes keys to open gates and mailboxes. Natural access control is used in addition to mechanical and operational access control measures, such as targeted protection reinforcement. For example, any fence like a picket fence restricts access, allowing you to observe suspicious activity. Therefore, natural access control limits the possibility of committing crimes by taking steps to distinguish clearly between public space and private space.
Territoriality
Thirdly, special attention is also paid to territorial reinforcement. Its measures allow an ordinary user to feel safe and allow a potential criminal to realize the significant risk of detention or verification. Territorial reinforcement contributes to social control through a more precise definition of space and the improvement of private property. Physical boundaries separate public territory from the personal environment and determine its use. An example of natural territoriality can be benches that encourage people to sit down and use this space. Fencing can be created using landscape design, sidewalks, gates, signs, and barriers. When people are proud of what belongs to them and take appropriate steps to protect their property, crime in these areas is contained. Thus, offenders do not want to bother with a complex case when there is a simpler one.
Another Ideas – Maintenance and Interaction with Society
Two more ideas that support CPTED are maintenance and interaction with society. These aspects imply “pride in property,” as well as the strengthening of a specific territory (De Silva et al., 2021). Maintenance of the region, its beautification, or landscaping allows people to create a “living image” of the area. A well-maintained plot, building, or park evokes a sense of responsibility and care. Abandoned places can harm how people use space, for example, immediate graffiti removal or repair of a broken fence. When people encourage positive activity in public areas, including on the streets, by residents and pedestrians, they can help reduce crime or fear of crime. With a higher degree of probability, a well-groomed territory will not be able to attract unwanted activity.
Importance
Crime prevention through environmental design is an essential and significant element in the arrangement of living spaces or working enterprises. As already mentioned earlier, CPTED measures overwhelmingly reduce criminal activity. Appropriate environmental design can also increase the perceived likelihood of detection and apprehension, which is known to be the most effective crime deterrent. Therefore, CPTED increases society’s social capital and well-being, citizens’ satisfaction, and the quality of life in general (Haghlesan & Hajivand, 2018). Moreover, the CPTED procedure can also serve perfectly in preserving and protecting historical objects from possible acts of vandalism, hooliganism, and even natural disasters. (Arabi et al., 2020). In addition, in many countries, legal and lawful norms put forward their requirements for compliance with safety, which are based on the principles of CPTED. It is essential that both stakeholders and CPTED practitioners clearly understand the underlying aspects, scope, and roles of institutions, strategies, and processes. CPTED strategies are most successful when they cause minor inconvenience to the end-user and when the CPTED design process relies on the combined efforts of environmental planners, land managers, community activists, and law enforcement specialists.
Conclusions
In conclusion, CPTED is a unique, essential, and meaningful way to reduce and eliminate the proportion of crimes committed with the help of the environment, nature, and situational factors. The history of this strategy originates in America in the 60s of the 20th century, and its founders are such prominent persons as Oscar Newman and C. Ray Jeffery. Indeed, the development, modernization, and improvement of the CPTED models continue today; Timothy D. Crowe created one of the most exciting and noteworthy ones.
CPTED has an extensive scope of application, and its principles apply to both rural areas and large metropolitan areas. The primary and vital “vocation” of CPTED is the particular interaction of architectural aspects with components from criminology. This program recognizes that in order to ensure security and eliminate offenses, it is sufficient to use the elements of the environment competently and thoroughly. Referring to A. Maslow’s pyramid, there is a possibility that the basic human need for security caused the need for forming the CPTED program. In particular, the evil deeds of intruders are manifested precisely based on incorrect, incompetent, and inaccurate use of CPTED. Thus, poorly lit areas, low traffic, or the absence of any fences near the building provoke criminals into committing violations and crimes.
It should also be mentioned that CPED includes four basic principles: surveillance, access control, territoriality, maintenance and interaction with society. In addition, each of them has its role and destination area. For example, high-quality natural surveillance allows one to see and be noticed, and raw access control projects the terrain from the point of view of the competent location of objects. Accordingly, territoriality focuses on strengthening the building itself, the environment, and borders, maintenance and interaction with society increase the safety and protection of residents to a greater extent. Therefore, the CPTED strategy is a crucial and significant element in designing buildings and premises of both residential buildings and public places. CPTED improves the quality of life and well-being of citizens and fights crime, its causes, and consequences.
References
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