Crime and Architecture

Crime and ArchitectureThere is not a single solution to crime. Crime control must be a combined effort between the community and law enforcement. It is now more important than ever for municipalities to provide its residents with a place to safely encourage public interaction and social cohesion. When social cohesion among residents increases, the residents form a bond with their city and become guardians of the city against crime. A literature review focusing on the

There is not a single solution to crime. Crime control must be a combined effort between the community and law enforcement. It is now more important than ever for municipalities to provide its residents with a place to safely encourage public interaction and social cohesion. When social cohesion among residents increases, the residents form a bond with their city and become guardians of the city against crime. A literature review focusing on the social and psychological aspects of the relationships between human behavior and the built environment serves as the background of the research. A case study will be presented of two different public housing communities in San Francisco, CA that were redeveloped under the Hope VI Program. Demographic, crime statistics, spatial layout, and community programs were studied to offer design strategies that decrease crime. From this research a conclusion that social characteristics and aspects of the built environment play an important role in preventing crime.