ENVIRONMENT DESIGN

CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN (CPTED)

CRIME is an unlawful activity which nobody in his right mind should tolerate. People would automatically think it is the responsibility of the police - but nothing could be further form the truth. In fact, there are many ways to combat crime.

There are four basic Principles in CPTED Used by International Communities:

1. Natural Surveillance

Natural surveillance is aimed at creating a clear line of sight from various angles. The main purpose being to increase surveillance by the public on the criminals and to create a sense of risk for the intruder before they commit a crime.

2. Natural Access Control

Natural access control defines as using doors, fences; soft and hard landscape as well as other physical elements to control and prohibit unwarranted access can reduce crime.

3. Territorial Reinforcement

Territorial reinforcement promotes boundary definition which means clearly dividing and marking spaces to identify the shading between public and private use. It incorporates the use of symbolic and real access control mechanisms to impede the movements of offenders. Clear distinction of boundaries could be through the use of fences, landscape and so on.

4. Management and Maintenance

Maintenance is defined as the care directed to preserve, sustain or repair the property. This principle stresses the importance of proper and regular management and maintenance of an area or building by the management authorities and community.