Securing the built environment : an analysis of crime prevention through environmental design

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Authors
Crabtree, Daine A.
Advisor
Kelly, Eric D.
Issue Date
2009
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (M.U.R.P.)
Department
Department of Urban Planning
Other Identifiers
Abstract

Crime or even the perception of crime affects people everywhere directly and indirectly. Because a permanent solution in stopping crime has not been found, there should be a constant search for new ideas in controlling it. This study analyzes the theory of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). The basic theory of CPTED is that manipulating the built environment in certain ways can lessen crime in almost any setting. In trying to gain a greater knowledge of the subject, several works were delved into, many of which are considered to be critical pieces to the CPTED field including Oscar Newman’s Defensible Space among others. Changing some aspects of the environment to control crime can prove to be a very time consuming and costly task. However, many things can be done effectively to lessen crime while also being very economical. Simply changing the placement of certain amenities such as landscaping or windows in an area or adding lighting to a poorly lit area is as little as it may take. Entire neighborhoods have seen crime rates drop thanks to CPTED while something as small as convenience store can benefit using proven techniques.