CRIME AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD ENVIRONMENT

• NCJ Number: 32695
• Journal: HUD CHALLENGE Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1976) Pages: 9-13
• Author(s): R A GARDINER
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Housing and Urban Development
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS ARTICLE OUTLINES THE RECENT RESEARCH FINDINGS ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN AND URBAN CRIME, AND NOTES THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGNS WHICH PROMOTE FEELINGS OF COMMUNITY TERRITORIALITY ARE MOST SAFE.

Abstract

FACTORS WHICH HAVE BEEN FOUND TO INCREASE URBAN CRIME RATES ARE LISTED. IT IS STATED THAT WHERE SUCH URBAN SUPPORT SYSTEMS AS CIRCULATION, OPEN SPACE, ZONING, PARKING, AND PUBLIC FACILITY LOCATION ARE NOT SUPPORTIVE OF THE DOMINANT LAND USE IN AN AREA, THERE IS GREATER POTENTIAL FOR CRIME AND FEAR OF CRIME. OTHER FACTORS SUCH IS OPEN OR EMPTY LOTS, THE PRESENCE OF CERTAIN TYPES OF NONRESIDENTIAL FACILITIES IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS, AND THE INTRUSION OF OUTSIDE GROUPS INTO TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY FOCAL POINTS SUCH AS PARKS, SCHOOLS, OR SMALL SHOPPING AREAS ARE SHOWN TO BE CRIME CAUSING FEATURES AS WELL. CLEARLY DEFINED AND EASILY UNDERSTOOD BOUNDARIES BETWEEN DISTRICT OR NEIGHBORHOODS WERE FOUND TO REDUCE NEIGHBORHOODS' VULNERABILITY TO CRIME. PHYSICAL FEATURES WHICH PROMOTE THE FEELING OF TERRITORIALITY AND EXTENSION OF RESPONSIBILITY TO COMMON AREAS ARE THEN DESCRIBED.