Defensible Space: Deterring Crime and Building Community

摘要

In the pamphlet HUD Secretary Henry G. Cisneros discusses aspects of theDepartment's role as a partner in fostering workable solutions to the issues confronting the Nation's urban areas. In this essay, Cisneros seeks to draw attention to the concept of 'defensible space', first introduced by architect Oscar Newman in the 1960s, and examines its potential for enhancing the safety of public spaces. The physical improvements (such as lighting, fences, and elimination of visual barriers) needed to enhance safety through defensible space principles are simple and relatively inexpensive. Secretary Cisneros cities several examples where the concept has successfully discoureaged crime. In addition to a host of other crime-fighting activities, HUD's new Community Partnership Against Crime (COMPAC) initiative provides funds for 'defensible space' improvements. In fact, COMPAC will require that proposals for funding include a development-by-development assessment of security needs, including a defensible space analysis.