NCJ Number
60783
Date Published
1979
Length
50 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORY OF THE 'LITTLE MANHATTEN' BUILDING MODEL IN THE TENEVER SECTION OF BREMEN, WEST GERMANY, DATA ON CRIME THERE, AND CRIME PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OUTLINED.
Abstract
THE PROJECT INVOLVED CONSTRUCTION OF NUMEROUS HIGH-RISE DWELLINGS AT THE EDGE OF BREMEN TO AVOID USING VALUABLE LAND FOR ONE-FAMILY HOUSES IN THE EARLY SEVENTIES. ALTHOUGH THE PROJECT WAS INTENDED AS A UTOPIAN SOLUTION TO THE HOUSING SHORTAGE, THE LESSONS FROM THE PROJECT HAVE CONVINCED EXPERTS OF HIGH-DENSITY HOUSING'S UNDESIRABLE EFFECTS, SO THAT THE PROPOSED NUMBER OF HOUSING UNITS HAS NEVER BEEN COMPLETED. BECAUSE OF THE ISOLATION AND ANONYMITY WHICH CHARACTERIZE SUCH HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF PEOPLE, THE PROJECT TENDS TO ATTRACT 21- TO 35-YEAR-OLDS WHO ARE ECONOMICALLY AND SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED, AND HAVE FAIRLY LARGE NUMBERS OF CHILDREN; 16 PERCENT OF THE INHABITANTS ARE ON WELFARE AND THE TURNOVER RATE OF RENTERS IS EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH. STATISTICS SHOW THAT THE CRIME RATE IN THE PROJECT IS VERY HIGH AMONG JUVENILES; THEFTS FROM CELLARS, CARS, UNDERGROUND GARAGES, AND APARTMENTS ARE THE MOST PREVALENT CRIMES AND ARE USUALLY COMMITTED BY GANGS OF YOUTHS FROM DISTURBED, FATHERLESS FAMILIES. POLICE HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN A ROLE IN PLANNING THE PROJECT, AND RENTERS SHOW LITTLE INTEREST IN SECURITY. RECOMMENDED POLICE MEASURES ON A GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL BASIS, DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATIONAL PAMPHLETS, PREVENTIVE COUNSELING TO ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS, AN INCREASE IN POLICE OFFICERS AND PATROLS FOR THE AREA, MORE CONTACTS TO SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, RENTER INITIATIVES, INTENSIFIED SURVEILLANCE OF INDIVDUALS, AND BETTER INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROJECT TO JUDGES AND DEFENSE ATTORNEYS. OTHER MEASURES INCLUDE COUNSELING TO WELFARE WORKERS, AND ADVICE ON RENTAL PRACTICES AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES FOR INHABITANTS. FOR THE TIME BEING THE BUILDERS MUST CARRY THE BURDEN FOR IMPROVING THE SITUATION, BUT THEIR RESOURCES ARE LIMITED AND THE SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROJECT ARE NOT LIKELY TO CHANGE. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT QUALITY OF LIFE WAS NOT GIVEN AMPLE CONSIDERATION IN TRYING TO BUILD THIS FASHIONABLE UTOPIA AND THAT POLICE SHOULD BE CONSULTED IN SUCH UNDERTAKINGS. AN EXTENSIVE APPENDIX OF TABLES, NOTES, GRAPHS, AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE SUPPLIED. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)