Abstract
This paper explores Oscar Newman’s Defensible Space (1972) concept of geographical juxtaposition (GJ) highlighting a significant lack of research within the criminological literature over the last 50 years. We argue the concept is a key foundation in understanding crime and crime prevention theories and in developing crime prevention strategies. Findings from a systematic review of the literature are presented to illustrate the paucity of research into geographical juxtaposition. We develop and extend the concept of geographical juxtaposition beyond that originally coined by Newman to include all immediate, local, distant, and remote environmental (physical) factors. Additionally, we demonstrate, by reference to practical criminological situations, the significant and extensive role of our revised concept of geographical juxtaposition. In particular, we point to the way that focusing on geographical juxtaposition identifies serious problems in many taken-for-granted assumptions in planning theory and practice. In exploring the concept of geographical juxtaposition, we highlight ten ways it can affect crime risks and six ways using geographical juxtaposition can benefit efforts to apply crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) more successfully when conducting a crime risk assessment. Finally, this paper briefly discusses four new CPTED principles, which emerge from our exploration of geographical juxtaposition. We identify new classes of CPTED methods and new ways of analyzing crime and offer the basis for new criminological theories.
Highlights
Manipulating the design, management, and use of the built and natural environment to manage risks is not new
We suggest that when considered with a similar level of attention to that given to the other three sectors, the evidence relating to this area challenges many taken-for-granted assumptions of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) including those associated with urban consolidation, mixed-use developments, permeable streets, and New Urbanism
geographical juxtaposition (GJ) is an essential basis for, and explanation of, ALL crime and crime prevention factors; CPTED investments should be inversely proportional to GJ factors at a distance; The benefits of distance from GJ factors can be achieved by obscuring the perception of criminal opportunities, and; The CPTED principle of natural surveillance can be divided into two parts that include promoting visibility of criminal acts and the obscuration of crime opportunities
Summary
Manipulating the design, management, and use of the built and natural environment to manage risks (including crime) is not new. This statute suggests authorities were clearly aware of the potential influence on local crime risks, of land uses in the surrounding environment. The authors draw attention to the lack of literature and research on GJ and provide evidence of this via a systematic review of the CPTED literature. Given this shortcoming, we re-inspect and revisit the concept of GJ. The review of the literature and criminological theories and evidence leads us to develop and refine Newman’s original concept and propose three new categories of GJ and strands of CPTED theory and research in relation to GJ. The outcome of such analysis, shakes some of the foundations of CPTED itself
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