DEFENSIBLE SPACE - A VIEW FROM THE STANDPOINT OF AN ARCHITECT AND PLANNER (FROM SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF DELINQUENCY - PLANNING FOR DELINQUENCY? - WHO PREVENTS CRIME? A REPORT ON THE...SEE NCJ-64222)

• NCJ Number: 64223
• Author(s): K HOLMES
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: Scottish Assoc for the Study of Delinquency
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

THE CONTROL OF CRIME AND VANDALISM IN INNER CITIES, ASSOCIATED WITH BUILDING DESIGN AND TENANT RESPONSIBILITY, IS DISCUSSED.

Abstract

A RECENT STUDY SUGGESTS THAT VANDALISM IS RELATED TO BUILDING DESIGN AND SUGGESTS SOME BUILDINGS BE CHANGED OR RAZED. HIGH-RISE APARTMENT BUILDINGS, COMMON IN CITIES, ARE INADEQUATE FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN, AS PLAY AREAS ARE OFTEN INCONVENIENT OR UNSAFE AND CHILDREN PLAYING IN BUILDING CORRIDORS CAUSE DAMAGE. AS SOME TENANTS FEEL FORCED TO VACATE THESE BUILDINGS, THEY BECOME PRIME VANDALISM TARGETS. CHILDLESS COUPLES, SINGLES, OR THE ELDERLY ARE BETS SUITED FOR HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS, ALTHOUGH THE ELDERLY ALSO HAVE DIFFICULTIES. BUILDING PRESERVATION HAS MUCH TO DO WITH TENANTS' SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS; STABLE, HIGH-INCOME FAMILIES, EVEN WITH CHILDREN, OFTEN DO WELL IN HIGH RISES. IN ADDITION TO BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS, INCREASING TENANTS' INTEREST THROUGH CONSULTATIONS ABOUT THESE IMPROVEMENTS IS VERY BENEFICIAL. PEOPLE WILL TAKE CARE OF BUILDINGS IN WHICH THEY FEEL AT HOME. LESS IMPERSONAL, SMALLER, LESS CENTRALIZED HOUSING, WITH LOW-TO-GROUND UNITS FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN IS RECOMMENDED, ALONG WITH MIXING STABLE AND DIFFICULT FAMILIES WITHIN BUILDINGS TO INCREASE TENANTS' COMMITMENTS TO THEIR HOMES, NEIGHBORLINESS, AND SECURITY. IMPROVEMENTS AND BUILDING DESIGN SHOULD REFLECT TENANTS' CONCERNS OVER COMFORT. CONFLICTS BETWEEN FIRE SAFETY AND SECURITY DESIGN ARE DISCUSSED. SOCIAL SCIENTISTS SHOULD ALSO BE CONSULTED IN THE BUILDING DESIGN. (PAP)