Safe buildings by design: the basics of crime prevention through environmental design.

A AS PROFESSIONALS IN YOUR INDUSTRY, you know that safety and security depends upon a comprehensive approach of integrated strategies rather than a single "magic bullet" to fix all woes. Security hardware, equipment and systems must be effectively integrated into the physical place to be truly effective. One common challenge is the integration of physical security systems and practices to the human environment. If the people who use the hardware and systems don't believe in their necessity, security gaps will appear. Another aspect is how hardware, equipment and systems are integrated into the overall building design. Clearly, the way a facility is designed can have an impact on how effective specific security measures such as access control at specific entry ways work.

A concept that first became popular many years ago has shown a strong comeback in the facilities security arena in recent years. Crime prevention through environmental design, commonly known as CPTED, is a research-based field of knowledge that should be applied in every new facility construction or renovation project. And, while some unfortunately try to over bill CPTED as a magic solution that can fix all woes, many buildings are still being built today with inherent problems because no one on the planning team is familiar with its powerful research-based concepts. Building or renovating any facility without utilizing CPTED concepts borders on negligence if safety is a significant concern.

Our experience has been that organizations putting out bids for major construction projects should require the successful bidding architectural firm to have an architect on the project who has formal training in CPTED. This is a reasonable request for the client as the failure to utilize CPTED can be used as evidence of negligence in safety-related litigation. As CPTED is research proven to reduce crime while also reducing construction costs and creating a more pleasant environment, it is only reasonable for a client organization to insist on its use. A second and more traditional approach is to contract with CPTED specialists to work with the design team to offer suggestions to the architects and planning team.

What is CPTED?

Keeping in mind that CPTED expert Timothy Crowe filled an entire textbook with information on the topic, we shall try to explore it in a relatively concise manner. CPTED focuses on the built environment, along with a view as to how space is used by those who occupy these spaces. CPTED assumes that there are two types of users of space--"normal" or those users who have legitimate purpose and intent, and "abnormal" users who do not act according to our laws, policies and social norms. CPTED helps to make the normal user feel at ease and welcome, while making the abnormal user feel very nervous about engaging in inappropriate behavior. In short, CPTED turns the power of the good in most people into a powerful deterrent for those who will victimize others.

There are Three Main Tenants of CPTED:

ACCESS CONTROL -- directing people in and out of areas through the use of a specified pathway or direction. Most often, landscaping features, such as a garden, are designed to control the direction of traffic. Persons walking through the garden would stand out and would quickly draw attention to themselves.

NATURAL SURVEILLANCE -- using activities or design features to maximize real or perceived visibility. A common example would be the removal of vending machines that cause blind spots in a school hallway.

TERRITORIAL REINFORCEMENT -- using design features to express clear ownership of areas. One example is a sign written in Cherokee alphabet on the front of an elementary school in Cherokee, N.C. The use of the traditional alphabet creates pride in the Native American students and parents who frequent the school. People who take pride in a facility tend to work to maintain and protect it.

CPTED Can Save Money

When we work with schools and other organizations to improve security through the design process, it is not unusual to see significant cost savings through the application of CPTED. In one instance, a client's architect had estimated a cost of more than one million dollars to enclose three outdoor walkways to create viable access control. The primary cost was not from the construction costs of the enclosures, but from bringing the three buildings up to current fire code as a requirement of connecting them. By using an alternative CPTED approach, a series of decorative wrought aluminum gates were suggested along with lockable gates with panic hardware the estimated construction cost could be reduced to under $200,000.

CPTED Creates a More Pleasant Environment

Frequently used by cities to reduce crime, rejuvenate downtown areas and attract new tourism, CPTED has proven to be incredibly effective. For example, the police departments in Eugene, OR and Tucson, AZ are staffed with trained CPTED experts to assist in helping utilize CPTED to reduce crime while creating more attractive businesses, schools, parks, commercial districts and other areas. Both police communities have achieved considerable success with great benefits for their entire communities. The Boys and Girls Clubs of America national headquarters recommends that local clubs use CPTED as a primary strategy to create a welcome and inviting yet safe environment for clubs around the world. CPTED is particularly useful for environments where there is a strong desire to avoid a prison-like environment while enhancing security, which is why CPTED is so well suited for childcare facilities, K-12 schools, and institutions of higher learning and places of worship. At the same time, CPTED has also proven to be extremely helpful in designing jails and prisons where security is the primary design concern.

CPTED is Often Passive

One of the unique advantages of CPTED is that many of its concepts are rather passive. For example, the entry way to Maple Grove Elementary school in South Haven, MI gently forces visitors to walk right past the front office desk since the main entry doors are locked once school is started. The school's entry design also allows a variety of other options such as the use of remote unlocking and locking systems to increase access control to the building.

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Does CPTED Have Limitations?

Like any other safety and security strategy, CPTED has its limitations. One of the worst school violence episodes in United States' history occurred in a high school designed by CPTED trained architects. As with this case, the biggest problem occurs when CPTED is used in a vacuum. As long as CPTED is kept in perspective, as a piece of the larger picture, and is supported by other measures, it is a viable and powerful concept. Though CPTED is supposed to be a comprehensive and inclusive approach, there is a tendency by some to use it as a total solution. Having the preliminary building design evaluated by local fire, law enforcement and emergency management officials is free and will dramatically improve any facilities design.

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What About Severe Weather and Terrorism Concerns?

One example of how CPTED concepts can create problems when implemented incorrectly can create other risks involves a lack of balance with traumatic impact to a building. For example, many CPTED experts commonly recommend the increased use of glass in buildings to increase natural light and to enhance natural surveillance. If this is not done with proper balance, this approach can create severe vulnerabilities to acts of terrorism or severe weather incidents. One urban school system built six elementary schools using the same building plan. There is no location in these schools where the occupants can be safely sheltered from tornado conditions without occupants being in close proximity to glass windows. If glass is used that is not properly treated by protective laminates, flying glass will be also be a significant hazard if an accidental or intentionally created explosion occurs near the school. This can result from common scenarios such as an accidental explosion at a clandestine drug lab in a house located across the street from an elementary school or from a natural gas explosion at a residence near the school. Consulting with knowledgeable professionals like DHI's certified consultants before plans are finalized can help to avert these types of problems.

Conclusion

When used hand in hand with other safety strategies, CPTED can be an awesome tool to help create welcome and safe work, recreation, learning and worship environments. A search of the Internet can reveal many good articles on the topic to help provide a working grasp of the concepts of CPTED. Attending breakout sessions at conferences or seminars dedicated to CPTED will be even more helpful. For those who have a hand in school construction, CPTED should be a key consideration for every project.