Integrating crime prevention into urban design and planning

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to understand the delivery of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) across Europe – from European-wide procedures through national schemes to effective local strategies.Design/methodology/approachThe findings come from a review of published literature and reports, case studies and site visits conducted primarily during COST Action TU1203 (2013-2016).FindingsInnovative approaches and methods to integrate crime prevention into urban design, planning and management have been generated by multi-agency partnerships and collaborations at European, national and city levels. Methods and procedures developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Working Group on “Crime Prevention through Urban Planning and Building Design” are pioneering. However, findings show that implementation is best achieved at a local level using methods and procedures tailored to the specific context.Research limitations/implicationsIn-depth research is required to appreciate subtle differences between local approaches and conceptual models developed to better understand approaches and methods.Practical implicationsPractitioners and academics working to prevent crime benefit from participation in focused, multi-agency collaborations that, importantly, facilitate visits to urban developments, discussions with local stakeholders responsible for delivery “on the ground” and structured and sustained exploration of innovations and challenges.Originality/valueThe authors hope that this paper will contribute to developing a new direction for CPTED practice and research that builds on significant progress in creating safer environments over previous decades.