Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, Research Paper Example

The notion that the physical environs can reduce or increase the chances of crime is not a fresh idea. Suppose the environs are properly planned and maintained, certain crime types will automatically reduce. There are numerous methods of preventing or reducing every type of crime, Crime Prevention through Environmental Design being among. Crime Prevention through Environmental Design has aided in the security enhancement and crime reduction in areas where it is observed and used (Duval, 2007). CPTED can be defined as planning approach and development that decreases the chances of crime.

CPTED is based on the idea that good design and efficient use of built environment can result to minimization of vices in the community and life quality improvements. Researchers have proven that there is a connection that exists between the maintenance, design of building and its security. The three parameters directly influence one another. CPTED appears natural and easy to use than other methods of crime reduction and prevention. Suppose there is a clear and well maintained site or building, the chances of one being aimed at by the intruders is decreased.

Crime Prevention through Environmental Design takes the prevention of vices like crime a further step as it studies the design of site and working with individuals and public in the process of creating safer designs in fresh and present developments. The community as well as the designers plan role in CPTED. The effective design as well aids in the reduction of chances of crime incidences (Chawla, 2000).

Research has revealed that good design and use of built environments can result to decrease in both the fear and chances of crime. Through the process of construction and design, builders, architects and planners can influence the formation of safer communities and environs.

Through the design principles application; streets, neighborhoods, personal homes and Communities can be safer (Atoll, 2009). The paper explains the reason of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) and the way it is used in private and public securities.

Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) has shown numerous benefits and advantages in the areas where it has been used. It has created welcoming and warm environments, developed a logic of social and physical order in the community its environs. CPTED has also sent affirmative messages to concerned people, maximized the existence of authority figures, and managed entrance to all areas. The use of CPTED has created natural method of access restriction. The law breakers as well have been deprived of committing open crimes. Though CPTED cannot be used in all types of crime prevention, but a good number of crimes can be reduced through it. It reduces only the crimes that are either committed in given buildings or public areas (Chawla, 2000).

There are numerous researches that have been conducted and support the CPTED.

Atoll; in his research in crime and public housing in New York found that, there is a connection amid rates of crime and the design of urban.

The research/study showed that high secured and well maintained building had few chances of crime. The connection can help in determining the relating the crimes rates to building and their maintenance. A conclusion can be made that crime and design of buildings are related. The poor the design, the higher the rate of crime and the vice versa holds (Atoll, 2009).

CPTED is a confirmed approach of crime prevention that has shown to decrease chances for incivility and crime committing. The basic idea of Crime Prevention through Environmental

Design is that it is able to employ creativity and knowledge in designing atmosphere in ways that reduces the crime occurrence. The public, architectures and builders play great roles in this. Numerous American Schools who have used the method have shown great improvement and reductions in crime (Chawla, 2000). The use of police alone cannot provide all the anticipated solutions to property management and so the employ of CPTED.

A study conducted by Atoll 2009 showed that the schools in America where there were no proper design were accompanied by high crime rates.

In the identification and removal of potential problems in anticipated developments, CPTED can be used. This can be so because CPTED helps to reduce the number of exit and entry places on a building. It also aids in designing roadways to lessen through-traffics. It also increases the abilities of residences in regard to viewing the open areas. Through the use of CPTED in crime prevention, suitable streets lights, lighting in alleys, paths, and parks are encouraged and this helps the pedestrians and other people to watch over one another. Intended crime and other vices are hence reduced or prevented (Buda, 2001).

Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) is element of a comprehensive approach to prevention of crime and other related vices. It used variously depending on the intended purpose and the condition of the place. There are numerous ways through which CPTED is used in crime prevention. Access management, Physical maintenance, Order maintenance, Territoriality and Natural surveillance are among the most methods used in CPTED (Duval, 2007).

Natural surveillance is the placing features that enhance visibility. The use of windows that faces the entrance to an institution will make those entering to be aware that others are seeing them.

Possible crimes/intended can hence be reduced by the use of these openings. The method has worked best for the schools especially American institutions. Surveillance and access control adds towards the territoriality promotion by encouraging lawful users’ informal public control. The primary aim is to keep those entering a given area under observation. The visibility enables one to monitor the actions and moves of the intruders. This makes it easy to spot law-breakers and other crime committers (Chawla, 2000).

It utilizes features of the design to enhance property visibility. The good situating and windows, landscaping and lighting design will enhance the care-takers to observe foreigners as well as the regular people. This will provide chances of altering the bad behavior and those in charge to give report to local authorities suppose and incidence occurs.

Natural Surveillance gives a better visual connection amid public environs and residential areas like common places, streets, parks, alleys among others (Buda, 2001). The outer exits and entrances are to be made visible by those living around or street. By making the parking areas visible by everyone ensures that their security are enhanced and no person can temper with the premises and the people. Most of the public places where there is no enough security, the method is used efficiently. It minimizes the chances of intruders tempering either the properties as well as reduce the cost of employing many people to maintain security and any given place or institution (Atoll, 2009).

In Access management, the people are guided by the use of appropriate signs, shrubs, fences, exits and entrances that are well-labeled, as well as landscaping. It can also be preventing access to given regions by the use of emblematic and actual barriers. This is commonly used in institutions.

Landscaping decreases entrance to locations that are not yet unsupervised on institution. The primary reason for Natural Access Control (Access management) is to ensure that the targeted areas are not reached by intruders as well as the unauthorized personnel. An example in the fence constructed around a building, school or any other places (Buda, 2001)

Territoriality can be explained as the space delineation, making of welcoming environs, pride and ownership expression. Schools, for example, the use of school colors express pride and also create warmth. All the students can be traced as per their institutions and chances of committing crimes reduced. The identity will make the student fear to commit any crime as their identities would be revealed (Duval, 2007). This can be used in other fields like in Companies and other institutions. This cannot be achieved minus the use of uniform. It is a design concept aimed at strengthening proprietary concern’s notions as well as “ownership” in lawful space users and this reduces chances for offending by not encouraging unlawful users. This is one of the basic reasons for Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED). The various forms of “ownership” indications entail the use of barriers like fences that separates different owners, and users (Chawla, 2000).

Physical maintenance and care involve revamp and universal space upkeep. It permits for the aimed use of building or place for the reason for which it was constructed or set. Deterioration as well as blight shows the reduction of the security of places and they give chances of entrance for law breakers. The good maintenance as well gives protection to the public safety. It is therefore vital for the owners and operators as well as the occupants to maintain their respective buildings or areas. It accentuates entrance of building with architectural aspects, landscaping and/ or lightning (Buda, 2001).

Crime Prevention through Environmental Design has shown great advantages where it has been employed. It has reduced the chances that the crime makers have in accessing the targeted areas. The well-planned paths, streets, roads have made it difficult for them to reach the targeted areas as well as buildings.

Through CPTED the potential danger has been limited as the entrances to public places have been controlled. Enough infrastructures have been provided and this has enhanced security. Order maintenance entails giving attention to small unacceptable acts and designing measures which state behavior that is acceptable in that given area or building (Chawla, 2000). The restriction provides no room for excuse. The behavior expectation will be evident and every person will be required to conduct him/herself respectful and following the rules and regulations.

In conclusion, environs can play a great role in crime reduction. Certain environs can make the people to feel safe and secure. Other can indicate sign of crime possibility and signs of it. It all depends on the design that is given to it and the appropriate maintenance. Regardless of the numerous advantages of CPTED, it should never be viewed as panacea and its demerits should be acknowledged (Atoll, 2009).

Crime Prevention through Environmental Design can also be used in limiting given crimes but never all. The type of crime to be reduced or prevented should be determined first before the use of CPTED. The people must be help themselves in maintaining security and hence the importance of CPTED method. It is easy, preventive and can be used in many conditions (Duval, 2007). It is recommended that every designer, builder use make appropriate designs for every building to help reduce crime.  When all the principles of design and the public co-operation are in place crime commitment can reduce.

References

Atoll, S. (2009). Crimea and Criminals. Publisher Trans-Atlantic. Pg 34-45.

Buda, D. (2001). Crime Prevention through Environmental Design. Saga sag Publishers.

Chawla, R. (2000). Crimes and prevention. Somali Publications.

Duval, D. (2007). Crime Prevention through Environmental Design. Publisher Publications.