Environmental Design

Question 1

How does environmental design prevent crime?

Answer 1

• Some criminologists believe you can design an area to discourage crime.

Question 2

What did Oscar Newman suggest?

Answer 2

• If an area is ‘confused’ (uncared) it is indefensible.

Question 3

What study did Oscar Newman conduct?

Answer 3

• Conducted a study based on flats in NY.
• 50% more crimes happened in indefensible areas e.g. corridors and stairwells.
• Defensible spaces have a low crime rate e.g. cul de sacs

Question 4

Who was stabbed in a stairwell of a block of flats?

Answer 4

Damiola Taylor

Question 5

Why are cul de sacs defensible?

Answer 5

• Sense of local community
• Territoriality
• Natural surveillance: lowered windows and bushes, good lighting, overlooking public areas.

Question 6

What is CPTED?

Answer 6

Crime Prevention through Environmental Design

Question 7

Who invented CPTED?

Answer 7

CR Jeffrey

Question 8

What study did Alice Coleman conduct?

Answer 8

• Analysed blocks of flats in 2 London boroughs.
• States that poor design of flats promoted criminality.

Question 9

What did Alice Coleman suggest?

Answer 9

1. Don’t build high rise flats.
2. Give blocks private spaces to encourage residents to care for them.
3. Remove overhead walkways to improve visibility.
   - Her ideas have been influential with modern town planning.

Question 10

What has her study resulted in?

Answer 10

• Removal of overhead walkways at Lisson Green lead to 50% crime reduction.
• Police forces employ specialist architects to design buildings.

Question 11

How do cul de sacs help with social control?

Answer 11

Felson’s Routine Activity Theory:
- Suggests having a ‘capable guardian’ to protect vulnerable victims.
- CPTED makes neighbours ‘capable guardians’.

Question 12

What are gated lanes?

Answer 12

• Lockable gates on alleyways so residents can use them with key codes/combinations.
• Physical barrier that increases efforts for offenders.
• Increases guardianship
• Deters crime

Question 13

What are the limitations of gated lanes?

Answer 13

• Expensive £800-£4000 per gate.
• Not preventing crime from people living in area.

Question 14

What are the limitations of CPtED?

Answer 14

• Cul de sacs aren’t always under surveillance due to people going to work.
• Sometimes housing policies are the issue with ‘problem families’ being placed with anti-social neighbours.