case study of cpted & defensible space theory on malaysia low cost housing

7/28/2019 Case Study of CPTED & Defensible Space Theory on Malaysia Low Cost Housing

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Perakuan

Saya akui ini adalah hasil kerja saya sendiri kecuali ringkasan dan nukilanyang tiap-tiap satunya telah saya jelaskan sumbernya.

4 September 2009 Yeong Kam Loong

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Tarikh Nama Penulis

BEA 070047

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Nombor Matrik


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Tuntutan Pihak Ketiga

Projek Ilmiah ini disediakan bagi memenuhi sebahagian daripada syaratkeperluan bagi pengijazahan Sarjana Muda Sains Seni Bina oleh UniversitiMalaya. Pihak Jabatan Seni Bina, Fakulti Alam Bina, Universiti Malaya, tidakbertanggungjawab atas sebarang tuntutan dari pihak ketiga yang berhubungkait dalam penyediaan Projek Ilmiah ini.

4 September 2009

Disclaimer

This Academic Project is prepared here in partial fulfillment of therequirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science Architecture by the

University of Malaya. The Department of Architecture, Faculty of the BuiltEnvironment, University of Malaya bears no responsibility for any claim fromthe third party with regards to the production of this Academic Project.

4 September 2009


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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my supervisor of this topicalstudy, Professor Saari Omar for his continuous support and guidance throughoutthe process of producing this topical study.

Also, I would like to thank officers from PKNS for their generosity to supply us withkey drawings and also extra information of the sites which is vital for this particular

topical study as we can get a better insight to the site. The patience of localsanswering my enquiries during interview session is much appreciated. Withouteither one of the aid from people I mentioned above, this topical study could notbeen a success.


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BIBLOGRAPHY

Cozens, P. M., Saville, G., Hillier, D., 2005, Crime prevention throughenvironmental design (CPTED): a review and modern bibliography. 23(5): 328-356.

Jeffery, C. R., 1999. CPTED: Past, Present, and Future. Proceedings of theInternational CPTED Association at the 4th Annual International CPTEDAssociation Conference. Sept 20-22, 1999. Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

Kitchen, T., Schneider, R. H., Crime Prevention and the Built Environment. 2007.Abingdon, Oxon : Routledge.Newman, O., 1977. Creating Defensible Space. U.S. Department of Housing andUrban Development Office of Policy Development and Research.

http://jpnin.gov.my/v4/?q=ms/node/380. 23/9/2009
http://jpnin.gov.my/v4/?q=ms/node/380http://jpnin.gov.my/v4/?q=ms/node/380


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Page

Acknowledgement

Abstract

List of Tables

List of Figures

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Defensible Space Theory

1.2 CPTED

(Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design)

1.2.1 Territoriality

1.2.2 Surveillance

1.2.3 Access Control

1.2.4 Activity Support

1.2.5 Image/ Management

1.3 SBD (Secured By Design)

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 The Theories

2.1.1 Defensible Space Theory

2.1.2 CPTED

(Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design)

2.2 Crime Prevention Strategies In Malaysia

2.3 Conclusions

CHAPTER 3CASE STUDY: LOW COST HOUSING PROJECT IN KUALA LUMPUR

3.1 Site Information

3.2 Site Issues

3.3 Site Analysis

3.4 Conclusions


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Page

CHAPTER 4

PROPOSAL: ENHANCE EXISTING SITE SECURITY

WITH PLACE-BASED CRIME PREVENTION STRATEGY

4.1 Objectives

4.2 Issues to Solve

4.3 Proposal of Solutions

4.4 Conclusions

CHAPTER 5

CONCLUSIONS

BIBLOGRAPHY


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ABSTRAK

Teori Defensible Space dan Crime Prevention Through EnvironmentalDesign (CPTED) telah diperkenalkan di Amerika Syarikat sejak 1970an bertujuanuntuk mengurangkan ketakutan dan kejadian jenayah melalui penggunaan elemenalam bina yang efektif. Melalui keputusan-keputusan positif selepas aplikasi teoritersebut di sesetengah tempat, teori tersebut telah menjadi satu trend untukdiaplikasikan dalam pelbagai projek-projek pembangunan perumahan dan

komersial. Satu versi teori yang hampir sama dengan Crime Prevention ThroughEnvironmental Design juga dibangunkan di Britain bernama Secured By Design(SBD).

Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk membuat analisis dan penilaian terhadapteori-teori tersebut. Penilaian teori tersebut akan berdasarkan kesesuaian dankeberkaitan teori tersebut untuk diaplikasikan di Malaysia dan bagaimana teoritersebut boleh diadaptasikan untuk selari dengan konteks cuaca dan sosial negarakita yang berlainan lokasi altitud dan nilai budaya berbanding dengan negara-negara Barat.

Sebilangan projek perumahan di Kuala Lumpur akan dipilih untuk kajian

topikal ini. Penduduk tempatan akan ditemu ramah secara rawak untukmendapatkan pemahaman isu dan keadaan keselamatan dalam projek perumahantersebut dengan jelas. Pengutamaan akan diberi terhadap aspek reka bentukdalam teori tersebut untuk kajian ini.

Lukisan-lukisan seperti pelan, seksyen dan pandangan sisi untuk projekperumahan tersebut akan dikaji berdasarkan kesannya terhadap keselamatanprojek perumahan tersebut secara keseluruhannya. Cadanagan-cadangan akandikemukakan bertujuan untuk mengatasi isu-isu keselamatan di kawasanperumahan tersebut melalui memperkenalkan ataupun penambahbaikan strategipengelakan kejadian jenayah di projek perumahan tersebut. Penilaian akandijalankan berdasarkan keberkesanan strategi tersebut dan kesan-kesan negatif

yang mungkin akan dihadapi oleh penduduk.


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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Brantingham and Brantingham (1991) have argued that there are four dimensions

to any crime namely, the law, the offender, the target and the location. Hence,

crime prevention strategies are mostly placed-based, focusing on crime site where

crime rates are high due to the physical environment of the place itself. Place-

based crime prevention theories, to name a few, are Defensible Space, Crime

Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) in America and Secured By

Design (SBD) in Britain.

1.1 Defensible Space Theory

Oscar Newmans Defensible Space theory was introduced in year 1972.

Inspired by the fall of Pruitt-Igoe housing project and the perseverance of Carr

Square Village in St. Louis, the concept aims to restructure the physical layout of

communities to allow residents to control the areas around their dwellings. The

massiveness of Pruitt-Igoe which houses 2740 units, and the majority of single-

parent and welfare families, along with the introduction of mere open community

area at ground floor with river of trees which doesnt work, is the main reason why

the housing project failed though the design intention was noble.

From the study of the author himself, the more a space is shared by its

occupants, the less responsibility the occupants felt towards. To evoke and

enhance the sense of propriety by its residents towards their housing area is the

main strategy where the design aims to allocate public space under the

responsibility of residents or even by limiting the number of public areas such aslobby and access point shared by them.


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For academics, it signifies the establishment of a new criminology

subdiscipline renowned as CPTED or Crime Prevention Through Environmental

Design. The concept contributed much to what academicians regarded the first

generation CPTED. However, it ended up with criticisms from researchers,

practitioners and policy makers for the strategy just being mere physical. Second

generation CPTED was then introduced then through refinement of the previous

generation with added social factors. (Cozens, Saville and Hillier, 2005)

However, Oscar Newman argued that the CPTED movement, a spin-off

from the Defensible Space theory, had misunderstood and misused his ideas. The

end product was shallow application of the theory in housing projects resulting in

short-lived crime prevention outcome. He denied that his interventions are based on

either physical determinism or social determinism as regarded by the

academicians who criticised his works. Besides, he stressed that people especially

practicing professionals, should follow up by studying Community of Interest(1980)

or Design Guidelines for Achieving Defensible Space (1976) and not limiting

themselves to Defensible Space (1972).

I am surprised by how poorly the Defensible Space concept is understood and howoften it is misused. I had always thought of my ideas as comparatively simple and down toearthYet a whole cult has sprung up around these misunderstandings, with its ownpseudo-language, misbegotten concepts and rituals. After reading the literature and

examining the projects that have been built in the name of CPTED and Defensible Space, Iam troubled by my failure to communicate my ideas clearly. (Newman, 1996: 3)

1.2 CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design)

CPTED, originated by C. Ray Jeffery, who was a criminologist, proposed a

broad, system-based approach to the relationship between crime and the

environment which is more controversial than Newmans Defensible Space theory.

It was based majorly on the utilitarian models of philosopher Jeremy Bentham

(1789/1907) and on experimental psychology and stimulus response models

developed by skinner (1938), and was designed as a strongly proactive and

positivistic approach to crime. For him, criminal justice system does not prevent

crime from happening and so, he proposed a crime prevention model based on

moulding award and punishment stimulations which relies on the feedback to

individuals provided by the physical environment that will eventually shape their

response to the same occurrence in the future.


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It is based on the psychological learning theory that that a person will respond togain pleasure and behaviour can be shaped in this way, whereas punishment createsescape and avoidance responses, aggressive responses, and learned helplessness. Aperson who is punished will become aggressive and will not learn new adaptive responsesto the environment. Punishment must be immediate and certain. In the criminal justicesystem it is neither swift nor certain, and less than 10% of the crime is punished. (Jeffery,

1990: 1)

The revised edition of the theory in 1977 injected more biological context

and systems approach to the original conception by taking account of the relation

between the internal physical changes in the brain and external physical

environment. (Cozens, Saville and Hillier, 2005) Jeffery states that the CPTED

being practiced today are more likely the adapted version of Newmans Defensible

Space Theory and not based on his concepts and theories. The core principles of

CPTED being practiced today include:

1.2.1 Territoriality

A design concept aimed at reinforcing the sense of propriety of space by

residents which defines the area of concern where users felt responsible thereby

reducing the chance of offence by intruders. Territoriality can be enhanced through

access control and surveillance.

Figure 1.2.1: Example of territoriality in row houses. Occupants has the highest territorialityover the area around the house. Open area in front of each house will be

under the influence of residents as they are treated as semi private space.


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1.2.2 Surveillance

Physical design which provides the opportunity of observation of space by

residents which subsequently reduces the potential of crime with offendersperceived that they are being watched at all times. Surveillance can be achieved by

building layout design (e.g. position of windows), activity support (e.g. street

activity) or even by formal (police patrol) and mechanical (CCTV) means.

Figure 1.2.2: Example of natural surveillance.

1.2.3 Access Control

Strategy focused on reducing the potential of crime by limiting or denying

access to targets and creating heightened perception of risk by offenders. It can be

natural (spatial organisation), formal (security personnel) and mechanical (fences

and locks). (Cozens, Saville and Hillier, 2005)

Figure 1.2.3: The effect of number of access point

to the controllability by its residents to their dwellings


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1.2.4 Activity Support

Design concept which encourages intended use of public spaces to certain

activities which contributes to natural surveillance through public participation andhigh pedestrian intensity at the area.

Figure 1.2.4: Example of activity support.

1.2.5 Image/ Management

Constant maintenance which promotes positive image in the builtenvironment intended to create positive signals to all users while ensuring the

physical environment continues to function effectively which in turn reduce crime

and the fear on crime. (Lynch, 1960)

1.3 SBD (Secured by Design)

In Britain, modern CPTED has been approved and promoted by the

government as policy to local authorities under the name of SBD (Secured by

Design). It is a police-led initiative aimed at applying place-based crime to the built

environment. (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Home Office, 2004)

Evaluations of SBD versus non-SBD housing in public sector housing have

supported its implementation as a means to reduce certain type of crime and fear of

crime.


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CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 The Theories

2.1.1 Defensible Space

Defensible Space theory focused on evoking the sense of propriety and

authority of residents towards their neighbourhood through design. To allocate

space within the responsibility of residents is the main intention. With the

introduction of mini neighbourhoods (example: cul-de-sac layout introduced in the

Five Oaks Community project), responsibilities are given to the homeowners.Subsequently, through access control, locals are then more sensitive towards the

presence of strangers or intruders within their boundary of authority to the extent

that they even pose the authority to question strangers entering their

neighbourhood. When theres less people sharing access to their living place,

residents could define acceptable behaviour at places within their territory better as

well.

Figure 2.1.1: Cul-de-sac layout Figure 2.1.1: Mini neighbourhoods


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Indirectly, this theory intends to enhance the relationship among the locals

in the neighbourhood with the implementation of mini neighbourhoods. Taking

account of the example of Five Oaks Community project, with the elimination of cut

through traffic by applying cul-de-sac layouts, children are safer to play at the

internal streets. People get to know their neighbours easier and are able to look out

for each other with the significant reductions of strangers entering the

neighbourhood due to cut through traffic. This mean of natural surveillance

contribute much in reducing crime rate in the neighbourhood. With reduced crime

rate, estate value for that particular housing area subsequently increased while

residents regain the initiatives to refurbish their housing units for a better estate

value. Racial integration and social change is one of the side benefits brought by

such scheme. (Newman, 1996)

The University of Daytons survey found that 67 percent of residents thought theirneighbourhood was a better place to live, while 13 percent said it had remained the same;39 percent said they knew their neighbours better, while 53 percent said they knew as manyas before; 24 percent said it was easier to recognise strangers; and 36 percent were moreinvolved in the community (that is, through block clubs, civic activities, neighbourhoodwatches). Most importantly, there was no difference in these perceptions between AfricanAmericans and whites, renters and homeowners. Drugs, theft from houses and cars, andharassment were all found to be less of a problem than a year earlier. (Newman, 1996: 56)

However, the implementation of such theory requires an enormous effort;

policy-making, participation of the community, authority and local public institutions

as a whole is the key of success, not to mention continuous support, cooperation

and contribution of views from all of the participants stated. As the social and urban

fabric of the neighbourhoods differs from each other, each proposed scheme must

be sensitive towards its environments. Tolerance in design has to be done

sometimes to meet inadequate funding by the local government authority. The

concept can be implemented only when the neighbourhood is not infested by the

majority of criminals, or else the concept might even worsen the condition faced by

the residents. (Newman, 1996)

A subsequent evaluation of Five Oaks has suggested that the significant

drop in crime rate was due more to opportunity reduction factors through the

elimination of cut through traffic, than to community mobilisation factors where

community attitudes are indirectly affected by defensible space or other changes

related to the physical design of the environment. (Donnelly & Kimble, 1997) The

design of cul-de-sac layout by Newman also clashes with new urbanism ideas


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which in favour of high permeability in urban design intended to promote social

interaction between residents, which is of the same aim although approaches differ.

2.1.2 CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design)

On the other hand, the original idea of CPTED developed by its originator,

C. Ray Jeffery, is intended to shape desirable behaviour with pleasure rather than

to avoid undesirable behaviour with punishments through criminal justice system. It

focuses on the development of the human psychology through the relation between

the physical brain and the changes in the environment. How the environment

change will consequently change the response of the physical mind of individuals.

(Schneider and Kitchen, 2007) Similarly, Defensible space theory emphasises on

the development of positive human psychology in the long term, by means of

passive security design through active human participation. However, it involves the

community living in the area as a whole compared to individual physical mind

development mechanism of CPTED.

In the evolved version of CPTED which is implemented in most practices

nowadays, more focus is being put on infrastructural development that enhancesthe security of a range of land uses including town centres, residential areas,

commercial areas, parking and transportation facilities, recreation and park areas,

public institution and mixed-use developments through lighting, access control,

target hardening, boundary definition and etc. Social aspects are not well included

as part of the intervention strategies as they are fully exerted by the local authority

with the absence of community participation. When crime prevention strategies

overly reliant on target hardening without sufficient community participation,

fortress mentality can result where residents withdraw behind walls, fences andfortified homes. (Cozens, Saville and Hillier, 2005)

However, as a matter of fact, community participation in such strategies

would take a lot of time while policy makers and local authorities are concerned with

speed of implementation and instant outcome. That explains how both Defensible

Space and CPTED is adapted to meet the needs of authorities and practicing

professionals in terms of speed and ease of implementation, which both of the

originators of Defensible Space and CPTED had denied of its accordance to their

principles. Though there are arguments between these two concepts, these two


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concepts actually adapted to each other through the application and implementation

by both practitioners and professionals.

CPTED, as it is known and practiced today, is therefore a closer adaptation of

Newmans defensible space than of Jefferys original concept, even though it blends theelement of both. It has evolved over the past two decades and continues to blend with otherplace-based strategies such as situational crime prevention and environmental criminology.Much of this evolution comes from the gradual incorporation of CPTED strategies into localbuilding and development codes in the United States and national policy in Britain.(Schneider and Kitchen, 2007: 24)

It should be noted that certain CPTED strategies only work sometimes in

certain locations to some specific crimes; it cant be treated as the ultimate remedy

as the environment is so vast and diverse where generalisation of relationships

between crime and place are difficult to support empirically. (Schneider and

Kitchen, 2007)

2.2 Crime Prevention Strategies In Malaysia

The implementation of security guard post and surveillance camera as

means of access control has been the trend of access control and surveillance

measures used medium and high cost high rise private housing nowadays.

Residents pay an amount of money each month/year to the management to sustain

the cost for maintenance of the cameras and salary for the security guards. Such

expenditure can be saved for better use if defensible space/CPTED theory is

effectively applied there.

Though this could be an effective measure of crime prevention, too much

trust is being allocated on the guards and the consequences of defected guardscannot be neglected. Not to mention that the number of foreign workers in the

security industry has been increasing. (Pakistani Security Guard Wanted for UTAR

Student Murder- The Star, 4th August 2007) Furthermore, this measure indirectly

contributes to the lack of social interaction between members in the society

nowadays as they do not care what happens at the outside to the extent they do not

even know the name of their neighbours next door. This reflects the fortress

mentality which comes from the over dependence target hardening measures in

terms of crime prevention strategy.


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While in terrace housing area, examples of renovations to the house lots by

increasing the height of boundary walls or fencing to enhance security is one of the

common target hardening strategies utilised by the homeowners to foil off potential

burglary and robbery. Alarm systems are offered by developers as one of the

housing unit purchase package has become a popular trend lately. Further

reinforced by toughened doors, locks and windows, these target hardening

strategies have made housing units have become fortress-looking.

It is interesting to find out that the practice of providing residential units

above retail stores is one of the recent developments in the Western countries as a

mean of activity support to the area (Wekerle and Whitzman, 1995; Office of the

Deputy Prime Minister, 2004) whereas the typology of shop house in Malaysia has

existed since a long time ago. While the rapid erection of modern shop office has

replaced shop house as the trend of commercial development nowadays, it is

worthwhile to restudy and reconsider the potential of developing of shop house in a

way which is more sustainable to the current economy and social demand.

A similar version of neighbourhood watch programme practiced in the

United Kingdom which is of the same concept is being introduced in Malaysia,

namely Rukun Tetangga by year 1975. The practice is aimed to reduce and

prevent crime in the neighbourhood during the nights through patrols byparticipation of its members who are residents in the neighbourhood. However,

during 1984, the emphasis of the program was switched to foster racial integration

under the role of Jabatan Perpaduan Negara Dan Integrasi Nasional. In year 2001,

the approach has widened to community development and eventually night patrol

program is reintroduced on voluntary basis in year 2003. It is a good example of

showing how policy making can contribute to crime prevention in the built

environment even though it does not involve design aspects in building or urban

planning.

The program was able to promote neighbourliness as well as the security of

the neighbourhood through participation from the community, apart from instilling

the sense of responsibility and propriety among the members towards their living

ground. It is a shame to witness many of the current modern housing developments

that had neglected the importance of the program, resulting in a housing project

with no community centre at all, intended to maximise land areas for housing units.

However, the statement made by Minister of the Prime Minister Department in 2009

to conduct a review on the Rukun Tetangga scheme and allocation of more


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government funding in the programme has shed some light towards its

development.

2.3 Conclusions

Target hardening, is seen as one of the crime prevention strategies being

practiced in Malaysia nowadays. With the implementation of such strategy, targets

are more resistant and time-consuming to breakthrough, and hence entail more

risk, effort and energy for potential offenders. Though it is successful in preventing

crime at targeted area, the implementation somehow created a harsh environment

to the public while bearing the possibility of deflecting crime to other areas which is

more vulnerable. Indirectly it exerts social impact to the society in the long term,

worsening the lack of commonality and civility among neighbours which increases

their vulnerability to criminals. Its time to take a few steps back and look into the

past and review the potential of some of the folklores such as the shop house

typology and Rukun Tetangga which had faded through time to make way for more

convenient and elegant solutions to meet higher living standards.


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CHAPTER 3

CASE STUDY: LOW COST HOUSING PROJECT ATKUALA LUMPUR.

3.1 Site Information

The housing project is located next to Persiaran Kenanga at Section 4, Kota

Damansara. Developed by PKNS, the 6 storey low cost apartments project houses

800 units in 10 blocks occupying a total area of a 4.35 hectare. Recreation area

which is 10 percent of the total project area is located at the middle of the project

while surau is located at the southeast corner. A total of 440 car parking lots and

132 motorcycle parking lots are provided to the residents. Adjacent to the housing

project is a secondary school, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seksyen 4 KotaDamansara which is located across the street and Sekolah Agama a few blocks

away. The housing project is managed by a property management office stationed

at ground floor of one of the housing blocks. They are in charge of the facilities

management of the housing project.

Figure 3.1.1: Location plan


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Figure 3.1.2: Site plan

Each unit consists of three bedrooms, one bathroom and toilet each, one

living room, dining room, kitchen. Kitchens are situated next to the entrance into the

units, with yards which are facing the voids of the each floor. Dining rooms are

located between kitchens and living rooms. Bedrooms and living rooms are located

around the perimeter of each unit with windows overlooking the parking lots below.

Each block is divided into two strips of units with eight units per strip, separated byan internal corridor. Each floor is linked by a staircase at both ends of the internal

corridor with openings providing views to the outer space. Six voids per floor are

provided to allow daylight penetration to each the floors below.

Figure 3.1.1: Typical unit. Figure 3.1.2: Housing block massing


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Figure 3.1.3: Typical floor plan

Figure 3.1.4 & 3.1.5: Photo showing front and side elevation of each block.

3.2 Site Issues

According to the information from the residents, crime rate at the housing

project was high before, involved mostly on car and motorcycle theft. Ever since the

establishment of residents association by the locals two years ago, crime rate has

reduced significantly as they took initiative to look after each others properties. The

only major concern by the residents nowadays is the gang fighting involving Indian

students from the neighbouring secondary school in the housing compound. In fear

of revenge by the gangsters, residents choose not to report or interfere to stop the

fights. There is an unreported murder case where one student is beaten to death by

eight gangsters of the same school six months ago. The students from the

neighbouring school are notorious for playing truant by hanging around the housing

area during school hour. Teachers are seen in the housing compound looking for

students sometimes. As gang fights mentioned above is regarded as irrational

offence which are less likely to respond predictably to any crime prevention

initiatives, (Cozens, Saville and Hillier, 2005) this issue will not be analysed further

in this particular study.


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3.3 Site Analysis

From the bigger scale, the mixed development of housing projects with a

variety from low cost to high cost housing in one particular area is intended to avoidsegregation of certain groups especially low income groups in one particular section

as crime rate at areas with high intensity of low income population is proven high.

(Newman, 1996) This can be witness with the positioning of Villa Damansara which

is medium cost housing next to the site. The positioning of schools in each section

would encourage family ownership of the housing projects.

Situated close to Persiaran Kenanga, one of the major arterial roads in Kota

Damansara, the site has the highest susceptibility to crime. Furthermore, the

provision of only one common entry into the housing project of 10 blocks provides

anonymity to people entering the building complex which can contribute to criminal

activities as occupants could not differentiate residents or strangers entering the

compound. With such orientation, residents could not exert responsibility to the

entry point as it is shared by all residents, making it hard for them to have the sense

of propriety towards it and eventually reduces the territoriality of the housing project

by its residents as a whole. On the other hand, restricting access point into one

would also mean by limiting escape route of criminals into one with perimeter of thehousing area fenced. Hence, there are pros and cons behind such orientation. Zero

cut through traffic across the site would mean opportunity reduction in crime.

Figure 3.1.1: Black dot showing the only Figure 3.3.2: Black patch showingentrance to the housing project. undefined open space


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The ground floor level of the housing blocks is left empty to provide space

for community activities which eventually ended up as parking space for

motorcycles and bicycles. Without well-defined entrance, the housing blocks

provide unlimited access to its ground floor without proper surveillance.

Furthermore, undefined space shown in Figure 3.3.2 displays low sense of

propriety by the residents where it becomes the dumpsite of residents unused

items. As the place owned by no one, it is more vulnerable to penetration of

outsiders into the housing block from there, right from the housing project entrance.

Figure 3.3.3: Ground floor community Figure 3.3.4: Rubbish dumped at openspace being used as area next to staircase.motorcycle parking.

Floor plan of typical units showing the location of living room facing the

streets and kitchen next to the entrance of each unit could provide natural

surveillance to the outer environment and entrance to each unit respectively.

Entrance doors, reinforced with iron grilles, are the only openings facing the internal

corridor of each floor. Narrow spacing of corridor between units would promote

interaction between neighbours. Despite the narrow space between facing units,

the sight of used furniture being placed at the internal corridor at certain floor and

ground floor shows some amount of sense of propriety by residents to the

mentioned public space.

Figure 3.3.5 & 3.3.6: Placement of used furniture at internal corridor and ground floor.


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Figure 3.3.7: Positioning of windows facing the outer environment.Note: resident observing strangers (author) presence.

In terms of community, the residents get to know with each other mostly

through communal activities such as surau prayer in the evenings. It helps forresidents to recognise the properties owned by their neighbours and able to warn or

even stop in event of potential vehicle theft. Also, residents get to voice out the

issues they faced in the housing project at meetings after prayer where the

communities would try to solve together. Residents are active in community

activities where announcement notices of activities can be seen pasting on the

walls and columns at the ground floor. In addition, voluntary residents would station

at the ground floor community space to safeguard the housing blocks during the

nights. This would explain the sight of used furniture being placed at ground floor.

Figure 3.3.8 & 3.3.9: Announcement notices of community activities found on ground floor.

Each block consists of four captains, two male and female respectively.

They are in charge of ensuring the order and cleanliness of each housing block. In

event of burglary, captain will get all the residents gathered at ground floor and

conduct checks. This can be an effective mean to curb with burglaries among


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residents especially when the residents are mostly from low income population if it

is conducted continuously.

Sights of new-looking paint gives a positive image to residents and visitors

that the place is well-managed by its occupants. This would able to reduce the fearof crime by the users subsequently.

3.4 Conclusions

Despite some setbacks in the housing project in terms of design, the

initiative of the community there to take charge of the built environment allows the

place to be maintained continuously in order although it suffered high crime rate of

automobile theft before the establishment of residents association. This shows the

strength of community when its members work together as a whole.

Mixed-use development, with the provision of small business zones within or

around housing area could promote natural surveillance through activity support at

the area, especially when most of the residents are out for work during the days.

Notable example: four- storey shop-house development at Section 17, PetalingJaya.

As human interaction reduces by ten percent with a difference of one floor

level, (Brand, 1997) it is suggested that future housing developments to incorporate

design elements which could enhance interaction among residents. This in turn, will

not only enable people to watch over each other but that they will be more

responsive to criminal acts acted on each other.


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CHAPTER 4

PROPOSAL: ENHANCE EXISTING SITE SECURITYWITH PLACE-BASED CRIME PREVENTION

STRATEGY

4.1 Objectives

To introduce a series of intervention aiming to resolve the security issues

faced by the residents based on the analysis conducted of the site itself. The

intervention strategies are based on the crime prevention knowledge acquired

throughout the making of this topical study.

4.2 Issues To Solve

Weak boundary definition of each housing block with high permeability has

caused the ground floor community space becomes motorcycle parking area while

providing easy access and escape for criminals. Undefined zone near to the

primary entrance to the housing project, which is without fencing, would allow

trespassing of outsiders into the housing compound by foot.


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Figure 4.2.1: Weakly-defined building boundary. Figure 4.2.2: Green area.

Figure 4.2.2: Undefined zone. Figure 4.2.3: Unfenced edge.

4.3 Proposal of Solutions

Based on the analysis, 3 schemes are proposed:

- Reinforcing the boundary definition of existing housing blocks.

- Transformation of existing undefined zone into recreation area.

- Reinforcing the edge (shown in Figure 4.2.3) of proposed recreation area.

Since the first and third schemes are almost identical in terms of method, these two

schemes will be discussed together in the same sub topic.

NOTE: DIAGRAMS TO BE DRAWN


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4.3.1 Reinforcing the boundary definition of existing housing blocks

It is proposed to be implemented at the edge between existing green area and car

parking lots of each housing blocks with boundary defining elements while limiting

access points into the housing block into a total number of two per each block.

There are a variety of materials which can be used such as:

- Landscaping (shrub)

- Low wall or fencing

- Decorative steel fencing

Which intends to avoid creating fortress-looking environment around the housing

area which could subsequently contribute to fortress mentality as mentioned in

Chapter Two. Intervention will block motorcycle access into the community area as

motorcycle parking will be relocated to the parking lots outside the housing blocks

as according to the initial planning of the housing project.

4.3.1.1 Landscaping (shrub)

This means of solution is able to create minimal visual impact to the existing site.

However, routine maintenance (trimming) of the plants is required as to prevent its

overgrowth.

4.3.1.1 Low wall or fencing

The solution which requires less maintenance work but creates higher visual impact

compared to landscaping method.

4.3.1.2 Decorative steel fencing

The most expensive choice of solution which requires continuous repaint works to

prevent rust. It exerts the highest visual impact to the site as compared to the other

two.


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4.3.2 Transformation of existing undefined zone to recreation area

As the current condition is: nobody uses or owns the space, which explains

the reason of that area becoming a dumpsite, the strategy is intended to encourage

public usage of that particular zone while to instil the sense of propriety of residents

towards the space.

This activity support method aims to bring in natural surveillance by

residents to the primary entrance into the housing project at certain period of day as

the by product. Taking account of work hours and school hours, the particular zone

will not be occupied at all times. With the addition of boundary reinforcing method

around the zone as discussed in the previous sub topic, trespassing of outsiders

into the recreation area would be discouraged.

Wakafs, benches and tables will be incorporated to the recreation area. No

trees will be planted as it would provide shade and hiding place to potential

criminals during the nights. Lighting equipment will lit up the area during the nights

and hence provide surveillance opportunity of occupants towards the area.

If the intervention of rezoning this area were to fail, this area could become

a place for both playing truant and gang students to hang out which might impose

fear of crime to the residents

4.4 Conclusions

The solutions are theoretical, practicability is yet to be proven with actual

implementation and study displaying its effectiveness. In the process of proposing

intervention to the site, the phrase certain CPTED strategies works only on certain

place and situation is understood better as the proposals given aims to be specific

to the site. Though effectiveness of the proposal unknown, it is always a good

learning experience.


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CHAPTER 5

CONCLUSIONS

After the throughout study of place-based crime prevention strategies, it is

discovered that behind the reason of every debate and criticism of the theories, the

cause is always the imbalance of the effectiveness crime prevention strategy with

its social impact to the community. It can be noticed that each of the strategies

strives to incorporate more biological context as it evolves from time to time.

Though target hardening and lighting strategies are proven highly effective in crime

prevention, they are the less humane means of solution while some of the crime

prevention strategies which are sensitive to biological context might not be

successful. A balance has to be established in between.

As the social pattern of Malaysia differs from those in Western countries, a

thorough study of the crime pattern and community fabric of the society should be

conducted by experts in order to tailor a localized crime prevention measures which

is more relevant to its context. There are possibilities that crime prevention

strategies which failed in the Western countries might work here. The strength of

community working together as a whole shall not be neglected as there are

potentials for it to become the one of the main crime prevention strategies instead

as a reinforcing factor.

Crime prevention strategies should be considered during the planning stage,

be it a town or building, instead of treating it as guidelines to cope with place-based

crimes in a particular built environment. Such knowledge should be shared with the

members of the public to equip them with the ability to prevent crime and not limited

only to the experts. There is possibility that crime prevention strategies can

enhance racial integration, urban regeneration and even social mobility of society

as a whole to make Malaysia a more harmonic place to live, for all of us, for our

next generation.

case study of cpted & defensible space theory on malaysia low cost housing

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