3: Secure Urban Environments By Design
This Sustainability Issue focused on two key questions
facing planners, designers and developers. How can the open and
permeable residential environments required for sustainability be
achieved without incurring actual or perceived increases in crime? How
can facilities in city centres be designed to attract legitimate users,
whilst also minimising crime?
Case Studies
Extensive case studies were conducted in a number of areas, including Brent, Manchester, Sheffield and Hulme. Crime and fear of crime were a major theme in the research, with the night time economy and retail looked at in detail in both Manchester and Sheffield. The case studies chart the regeneration of two cities, looking into their pasts, presents and futures to determine extensive recommendations for an improved night-time economy, retail offer, a lower crime rate and less fear of crime. These case studies look into issues which can be applicable to cities around the UK, considering a wide range of factors which are important to create a vibrant, pleasant 24-hour urban environment.
Methods
Interviews were conducted with officials, residents and employees involved in the night-time economy, along with conversations and observations. City Council minutes were consulted, and conferences and meetings were attended.
Findings
With the dispersed crime pattern, criminals seek out locations where the urban built environment facilitates a particular kind of crime. For example, architecture that provides secluded access to dwellings from public space for burglary, street layouts where victims are likely to be alone for mugging and car parks designed without surveillance for car crime. A number of recommendations and much information is provided to assist cities in the fight against crime and fear of crime.
Click here for a list of Sustainability Issue Three's Academic Publications.
Tools
This detailed presentation looks at residential burglary and street robbery the value of personal and property security, along with an outline of the i-VALUL project.
New Urbanism: Hulme Case StudyVivaCity2020 looked at the impact of the regeneration of Hulme, near Manchester, assessing whether Hulme has become and safer and more sustainable environment in which to live. Changes in crime rates, housing and other sustainability objectives have been taken into account.
Researchers from VivaCity2020 Sustainability Issue Three conducted a literature review and two case studies, Manchester and Sheffield. The researched looked in detail into the night-time economy and crime in these cities and in the literature and recorded their findings.
Researchers from VivaCity2020 Sustainability Issue Three conducted two case studies, Manchester and Sheffield. The researched looked in detail into retail and crime in these cities and in the literature and recorded their findings.
