Enhancing Security in Affordable Housing Projects: The Case of Prince Fawaz Project

Abstract

According to socio-economic changes, the Saudi communities are experiencing accelerating rates of crime; and affordable housing is not an exception. The present study argues that the urban form of affordable housing projects can support or eliminate safety and security. The study aims at examining the extent to which the urban form of Prince Fawaz affordable housing project advocates security or crime. Theories and approaches concerned with enhancing security and reducing crime in residential areas are initially discussed. Urban and architectural features of Prince Fawaz project are reviewed as well as crime rates and patterns. Car and home theft is found the most prevailing type of crime. Trace and behaviour observation is then carried out. The observation monitored resident's actions with regard to crime, fear of crime and security. Levels of satisfaction with security and fear of crime in different areas of the project are extracted through a questionnaire. A space syntax analysis is processed and linked with the questionnaire outputs. Results are found in line with some theories while contrary to others. Enhancing security and eliminating crime in Prince Fawaz affordable housing project require enclosing open spaces directly connected with peripheral roads to become private and semi-private entities and reformulating movement network to achieve more integration and natural surveillance for different parts of the project. However, lack of data on crime statistics and locations puts some limitations on the outcomes.