R Secured by Design
In the secured by design guideline, most recommended initiative means closing up/ fencing areas to create a clear boundary of private and public which i feel should not be the case. Appropriate design will be able to integrate or make clear the boundaries without erecting a physical barrier between people. Alexandra Road Estate has a 350m long through route that I sometimes wonder, is does it make the jobs of policemen tougher because there is a clear escape route, or easier as there are no obstructions. Alexandra Road Estate especially, promotes the idea of security by communal surveillance as living spaces and access are directed towards the street.
How does one determine if the space is used 24/7? Issue: The ‘backstreet’ in Alexandra Road Estate, as well as many other London streets only have certain attributes, but are definitely open to public 24/7. Deterrence by no lighting is dangerous if there are no other optional routes nearby.
Vehicular and pedestrian routes should be designed to ensure that they are visually open. Where it is desirable to limit access, change of road surface, pillars, brick piers or narrowing of carriageway may be used to define defensible space, psychologically giving the impression that the area beyond is private. While through routes are included in development layouts, the security of the development should not be compromised by excessive permeability. Surveillance of the street by residents within their homes and high levels of street activity are desirable and have proven to deter criminal behaviour. Benefits of cul-de-sacs can be compromised if it backs onto open land (railway, canal towpath etc) or are very deep/long, are poorly lit or linked to another by footpaths (leaky cul-de-sacs). Leaky cul-de-sacs experience 110% higher crime rates than in true cul-de-sacs.
Available research concluded that ‘neighbourhood permeability is one of the community level design features most directly linked to crime rates: more permeability, more crime. See: Taylour R B 2002 ‘Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design’
Defensible space should be created to separate a path and an elevation and street furniture should be carefully used to prevent anti-social behaviours. If a footpath is to be used 24/7, it should: be as straight as possible, wide, well lit, devoid of potential hiding places, overlooked by surrounding buildings and activities, well maintained. If it does not have the above attributes, its use should be deterred during the hours of darkness by not installing lighting. Communal areas and play spaces should be clearly defined and not immediately abut residential buildings. Fencing at a height of 1200mm can often discourage casual entry and reduce damage to equipment. External communal drying spaces should be enclosed and secured. Front boundaries are limited to a maximum height of 1m and rear boundaries require a minimum height of 1.8m. If in a high crime area, a privacy screen (min 1.8m) starting from the building projecting along the fence line for ~2m may be erected.
Alexandra Road Estate has many .
Windowless elevations and blank walls adjacent to public spaces should be avoided
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