An Analysis of Crime Prevention Effect of CPTED Elements in Yeomni-dong Using Crime Location Data: Based on Street Segment Analysis Unit

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the crime prevention effect of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) elements installed in Yeomni-dong Sogum-gil. Although previous studies have emphasized the design and theoretical aspects of CPTED as a crime prevention effect, they have not verified the actual effect of CPTED elements on crime prevention sufficiently. Most of the existing literature has investigated the effect of CPTED elements through surveys that could involve the subjective views of researchers or survey respondents. Hence, this research analyzes the crime prevention effect of CPTED elements using crime location data of Yeomni-dong, Mapo-gu, which used to be one of the most crime-ridden districts in Seoul. By using the Quantum Geographical Information System (QGIS), crime occurrence points and the location of CPTED elements for a target area were converted to geospatial data. By performing an analysis by street segment, the ripple effect of CPTED elements on crime prevention was examined. The analysis shows that among 13 CPTED elements applied to the target area, six elements such as IP camera, play facilities at alleys, exercise facilities, exercise guide boards, SOS House (designated for people s security), and Sogum Naru (community and security facility for residents ) generated significant crime prevention effects, and streets where these elements were installed had a lower crime incidence.