Crime Prevention through Environmental Design

Abstract

This chapter provides a brief overview of the theoretical framework of crime prevention through environmental design, or CPTED {pronounced sep-ted). As a proactive situational crime prevention approach that relies on {manipulation of) physical design, CPTED strategies are aimed at minimising criminal opportunities while simultaneously enhancing opportunities for surveillance and crime detection. These strategies are not only focused on reducing victimisation at specific places, but also on minimising fear of crime at places. This chapter will sketch the evolution of CPTED, beginning by outlining the six core components that CPTED interventions rely on, and will highlight ways in which they overlap and reinforce each other. CPTED techniques do not rely exclusively on the physical environment, as they are aimed at increasing opportunities for place management and guardianship in order to maximise the potential for crime control at places. Despite some limitations and critiques related to its conceptual framework and implementation, the empirical literature demonstrates that CPTED techniques can be highly effective. This suggests the utility of situational approaches such as CPTED compared to generally more intrusive and traditionally offender-focused alternatives, Most significantly, we conclude that continued development of CPTED rests on the more explicit incorporation of place managers and guardians as primary users of the practical tools to maximise crime control, which CPTED provides.