Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Principles - City of ...

January 2013MISSISSAUGACRIME PREVENTIONTHROUGHENVIRONMENTALDESIGN PRINCIPLES

TABLE OF CONTENTSPagePreface 41.0 Introduction 52.0 CPTED Fundamentals 62.1 CPTED Objectives 63.0 Design Strategies 83.1 Natural Surveillance 103.2 Natural Access Control 123.3 Territorial Reinforcement 143.4 Mechanical Forms 164. 0 Space Assessment 184.1 Designation 204.2 Definition 214.3 Design 235. 0 Implementing CPTED in 26the City of MississaugaGlossary 29References 30MISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES 3

PrefaceThe goal of this document is to provide the City of Mississauga with Crime PreventionThrough Environmental Design — CPTED principles and strategies to create a safer andmore liveable city. Furthermore, this document will enhance the awareness of safety andprovide a better understanding of urban well-being among the citizens of Mississauga.The Mississauga CPTED Principles document aligns with “Connect” Pillars for Change of the City ofMississauga Strategic Plan. One of the goals of this pillar is “Maintain a Safe City” to activelymentor Mississauga as the safest large city in Canada.“The first thing to understand is that the public peace…is not kept primarilyby the police, necessary as police are. It is kept by an intricate, almostunconscious, network of voluntary controls and standards among the peoplethemselves…No amount of police can enforce civilization where the normal,casual enforcement of it has broken down.”Jane Jacobs, Death and Life of Great American Cities4MISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES

1.0 IntroductionHave you ever wondered why someproperties are victimized and othersare not? What makes one propertymore susceptible to criminal attacks thenothers?Well, Crime Prevention Through EnvironmentalDesign or CPTED (pronounced septed) holdssome of the answers. CPTED is a pro-activecrime fighting technique that believes theproper design and effective use of the builtenvironment can lead to a reduction in thefear and incidence of crime as well as animprovement in the quality of life.The CPTED approach, when used correctly, can help reduce our exposure to crime and loss byproviding ways to better manage our human and physical resources. This, along with theincorporation of CPTED principles and strategies, can reduce the potential for fear and opportunityfor crime and through this process, contribute to the development of vibrant, attractive andpleasant public spaces.“CPTED is simply good design”MISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES 5

The term ‘natural’ when referring to surveillance and access control means surveillance and accesscontrol as a result of the routine use and enjoyment of the property. Opportunities for surveillance andaccess control are leveraged when natural forms are used.Territorial reinforcement is an expression of proprietorship. It gives users a sense of boundary andcontrol. Design solutions brings about this sense at various levels of articulation from obvious to subtleexpression. The most important function of territorial reinforcement is to set up the framework of thecontrol system. Therefore, in its implementation, territorial strategies will often include both naturalsurveillance and natural access control strategies.“CPTED concepts work 24 hours a day….We can’t havea police officer there 24 hours a day”Nando Iannicca, Mississauga Councillor, Ward 7 (October 1996)Figure 3.0.3 Natural surveillance from thecommunity centre gymnasium to an adjacentwoodlotFigure 3.0.4 Low walls & landscaping provideterritorial reinforcementMISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES 9

3.1 Natural SurveillanceNatural surveillance is the state and condition ofa site that is under human senses —observation by eyes and heard by ears. Underthis notion, various parts of the site areobservable without any electronic or mechanicaldevices (camera or audiovisual recorder) in bothday and night. The real and perceived risk oflegitimate users ‘witnessing’ criminal activityacts as a deterent to crime being committed.Based on this concept, CPTED principles aredesigned on the basic condition of safetythrough the use of human senses. As a designstrategy, natural surveillance is based on thebuilt environment and directed to minimize fearof crime and loss. In other words, naturalsurveillance gives the sense that any conduct inpublic space is under the direct observation ofthe occupants space and surrounding buildings.Figure 3.1.1 Not Preferred—Excessive signage inthe windows limits natural surveillance opportunitiesto both the exterior and interior spacesFigure 3.1.2 Preferred—Large windows allow clearviews to the pedestrian realmFigure 3.1.3 Preferred—Outdoor patio providesnatural surveillance to the street10MISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES

Natural SurveillanceVisibility of PublicRealmThe layout of the site must be visually accessible.The site must have sufficient lighting to support the intendeduses of the space.The casual surveillance and sightlines of people living, workingand playing in the area must be maintained.The visibility of the site from adjacent building and openspaces is optimized.Landscape elements must provide sufficient sightlines. The site has an active relationship with the adjacentneighbourhood and is not isolated from casual publicencounters and activities.Figure 3.1.4 Preferred—Views to public realm areoptimized due to dwellings fronting the street withlow open fencingFigure 3.1.5 Not Preferred—Views to the sidewalk& street are limited due to rear yards facing thestreet with solid fencingMISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES 11

3.2 Natural Access ControlNatural access control focuses the movementof people by strategically directing themtowards areas of good natural surveillance andaway from crime opportunities. It is theprocess of managing the behaviour of peopleand to identify and verify who should haveaccess to the building and its surrounding. Thephysical setting is created to make potentialintruders uneasy and uncomfortable through asense that their escape is always at risk.Figure 3.2.1 A Community centre & school withconsolidated entrances provide natural accesscontrolFigure 3.2.2 An elaborate open canopy of thecommunity centre projects ownership of the spaceFigure 3.2.3 Views from the reception desk to thelobby & entrance enhances surveillance and accesscontrol12MISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES

Natural Access ControlSafe and ConvenientMovement &Connections The layout of the site must be designed for safe andaccessible pedestrian movement. The circulation routes must be defined with clear sightlinesto all intended functions.Access Control The site must have a limited number of entrance and exitroutes which are clearly defined.Figure 3.2.4 Safe & convenient movement fromsenior’s centre to bus stop & adjacent parking lotFigure 3.2.5 Multi tenant dwellings withconsolidated natural access control enhancessafetyMISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES 13

3.3 Territorial ReinforcementTerritorial reinforcement occurs when design isused to realise people’s sense of ownership,which can translate into users takingresponsibility for public safety and security.This can be encouraged by creating adefensible space featuring a well defined andobserved area which provides for a strongtransition from public to private space.However, this does not mean that territorialreinforcement encourages building walledcommunities.Territorial reinforcement is an expression ofproprietorship. It gives users a sense ofboundary and control. Design solutions bringabout this sense at various levels of articulationfrom obvious to subtle expression. The mostimportant function of territorial reinforcement isto set up the framework of the control system.Therefore, in its implementation, territorialstrategies will often include both naturalsurveillance and natural access controlstrategies.Maintenance is a critical factor of territoriality.A clean, well cared for environment demonstratespride of ownership.Territorial reinforcement, together with naturalsurveillance and access control, promotes moreresponsiveness by users in protecting their territory.A well designed territorial environmentis defensible in nature.Figure 3.3.1 Low planters & fencing define privateproperty & the pedestrian mewsFigure 3.3.2 Design elements such as lighting &benches help define the function of the space &sense of belongingFigure 3.3.3 Territorial reinforcement is defined bypillars & change in paving materials14MISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES

Territorial ReinforcementSense of Belonging/Defensible Space The layout of the site must be spatially defined in relation tothe adjacent buildings and activities to provide for atransition from public to semi-public and private spaces soas to provide a sense of change between spaces. The site must have clear orientation, direction andconnection of movement for pedestrians to the adjacentstructures and their uses. Areas within the site must not be isolated (no-man’s land)from observation.Connectivity The site must have an active relationship with thesurrounding neighbourhood and not be isolated from casualpublic encounter or activity. The site must be integrated into the neighbourhood system.Figure 3.3.4 Landscaping & low walls define private& public spacesFigure 3.3.5 The square repeats materials as seenon the adjacent building to create a sense ofownership & definition of spaceMISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES 15

3.4 Mechanical Forms of Surveillance & Access ControlMechanical forms of surveillance and access control such as locks, lighting, cameras, etc. shouldsupport the intended function of the space and be designed to complement the three naturaldesign strategies of CPTED. While CPTED principles support natural control systems as a coregoal, mechanical devices may be necessary for the enhancement of safety and security control.Figure 3.4.1 A combination of camera & lightingassist in the mechanical surveillance of thecommunity centreFigure 3.4.2 Mechanical security control16MISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES

The following table compares natural and mechanical forms of access control, surveillance andterritoriality.Natural ControlSurveillance of activities under casualobservation from windows, doors andamenity areas of adjacent buildings.Mechanical ControlSurveillance is under camera observationand visually recorded.To direct access so that potential intrudersare observable and discernable by thehuman senses.Access is provided through controlled accesspoints such as a gate or door with locks.Only authorized persons or vehicles areallowed to enter the site, usually with aspecial pass, key or other device.Territory is defined through the use oflandscape treatments, paving patterns etc.Territory is enclosed by structures such asfencing with gates, walls, etc.Figure 3.4.3 A gate defines public & privatepropertyFigure 3.4.4 A defined bike storage area with clearvisibility from parking lot & pedestrian walkwayMISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES 17

4.0 SPACE ASSESSMENTCPTED principles provide us with guidelines on how to build and/or improve the physicalenvironment to meet the needs of bonafide users. The purpose of a space assessment is toanalyze a space to match the intended human function with a space that can support it. Aspace assessment may be determined by answering a series of questions pertaining to thedesignation, the definition and design of the space. Commonly referred to as the three D’s, theanswers can be used to guide the decisions and recommendations for a CPTED Audit Report.Figure 4.0.1 Before—Mississauga ValleyCommunity Centre with sunken entranceway whichresults in poor visibilityFigure 4.0.2 After—Redeveloped MississaugaValley Community Centre with flush entrance &open views18MISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES

THE 3D’S OF SPACE ASSESSMENTDesignation Definition DesignWhat is the designatedpurpose of the space?What was it originallyintended for?How is the space defined?Where are its borders?Are there social or culturaldefinitions that affect howthat space is used?Are legal or administrativerules clearly set-out andreinforced in policy?Are there signs?What physical design will bestsupport the intended use ofthe space?What physical design will bestprovide the means toinfluence human behaviour?Figure 4.0.3 Before—Hidden entranceways due tothe location of signage, landscaping & walls withobstructed viewsFigure 4.0.4 After—A redeveloped consolidatedsingle entrance increases natural surveillance &access controlMISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES 19

4.1 DesignationIssuesHow well does thespace support itsintended use?Design GuidelinesAssign space according to its ability to support anintended function.The purpose of this guideline is to match the intended functionwith natural surveillance, natural access control and territorialreinforcement with a space that can support them.Is there conflict?Use natural barriers such as terrain or distance tophysically separate conflicting activities.The purpose of this guideline is to reduce fear producingconflict by effectively separating conflicting activities. Effectivebarriers to conflicting activities include distance, terrain andactivities that can be described as neutral or complementary.An example of a conflicting activity is a basketball court next toa senior’s centre.Figure 4.1.1 Defined active public space with clearview corridors throughoutFigure 4.1.2 The patio enclosure providesdefinition & access control20MISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES

4.2 DefinitionIssuesDesign GuidelinesIs it clear who owns thespace?Provide clear border definitions of controlled space.The origin of this guideline can be found in the common lawrequirement that space be defined to preserve property right.The underlying principle is that a ‘reasonable person’ must beable to recognize that he or she is moving from public to privatespace.Fences, certain types of vegetation and/or signs are examples ofacceptable border definition. Border definition can be physical,symbolic or literal.Figure 4.2.1 Columns & canopy provide spatialdefinition to the lobby entranceFigure 4.2.2 Landscaping provides spatialdefinition between private & semi-private spacesMISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES 21

IssuesDesign GuidelinesIs there conflict orconfusion between thedesignated purpose ofthe space and itsdefinition?Provide clearly marked transitional zones that indicatemovement from public to semi-public to private spacesThe importance of this guideline is that the intended uses of aproperty must be made to acknowledge movement of peopleand/or vehicles into a controlled space. The rationale behind thisis that as transitional definition increases, the range of excusesfor improper behaviour is reduced.Figure 4.2.3 A well designed pedestrianpromenade invites the public to walk, view &interact along the waterfrontFigure 4.2.4 Landscaping & feature designelements provide natural barriers betweenpedestrian & vehicular circulation22MISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES

4.3 DesignIssuesDesign GuidelinesDoes the physicaldesign match itsintended use?Ensure that physical space is designed in the context of theneeds of the bonafide users of the spaceThe purpose of this guideline is to properly match a space’sphysical design with its intended use. This can best beaccomplished by matching the physical design of the space withthe physical, social and psychological needs of the space’sintended users.Figure 4.3.1 Before — A pergola & recessedentrance at the Malton Community Centre limitsnatural surveillance opportunitiesFigure 4.3.2 After—The removal of pergola &bringing the entranceway forward increasesvisibility from the parking lot & streetMISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES 23

IssuesDesign GuidelinesDoes the physical designimpede or conflict withthe productive use ofspace?Design and organize space to allow for its effective use and a safecritical intensity of peopleIt has generally been found that the effective and productive use of space willgenerate a safe and critical intensity of people which will result in ‘normalusers’ feeling and experiencing reduced risk due to an increase of surveillanceand intervention opportunities.Does the physical designimpede or conflict withthe proper functioningof the intended humanactivity?Identify vulnerable areas including those with limited naturalsurveillance, natural access control and territoriality in order toreduce their risks by improving the distribution of safe activitiesThis guideline is to be used to strategically distribute ‘safe’ activity areas sothat a critical intensity of people and activity are maintained. The resultingbenefit is an enhanced feeling of safety for ‘normal users’ and a sense of riskamongst most ‘abnormal users’.Figure 4.3.3 Before—The area under the bridge isvulnerable to graffiti; After—Murals create a senseof ownership to the spaceFigure 4.3.4 Before—Smooth blank surfaces inisolated areas are prone to graffiti; After—Muralsreduce graffiti opportunities24MISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES

IssuesDesign GuidelinesDoes the physicaldesign provide themeans for normal usersto naturally influencethe activities of others?Design space to increase the perception or reality ofnatural surveillance, natural access control andterritorialityThe purpose of this guideline is to emphasize ‘user friendly’natural forms of surveillance and access control such as windows,clear sightlines and spatial definition. The reason for thisemphasis is to minimize the constraint on the routine use andenjoyment of the property as is often the case when traditionalforms of target hardening are used.Is there conflict orconfusion in themanner in which thephysical design isintended to influencehuman behaviour?Identify vulnerable activities such as cash handling andchild care centres and then reduce their risks by placingthem inside areas of strong natural surveillance, naturalaccess control and territorialityThe purpose of this guideline is to proactively distributevulnerable activities in the safest possible places. The positioningof vulnerable activities near windows of occupied space or withintightly controlled areas will help to overcome risk and make theusers of these areas feel safer.Figure 4.3.5 Clear views from the train platform tothe well-lit bus stop promotes a safe environmentFigure 4.3.6 Natural surveillance to theplayground is provided by the surroundingresidential dwellingsMISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES 25

5.0 IMPLEMENTING CPTED IN THE CITY OFMISSISSAUGA5.1 Strategic PlanIn 2009, the City of Mississauga adopted a new Strategic Plan that contains a number ofgoals including Maintain a Safe City – to actively maintain Mississauga as the safest largecity in Canada.5.2 CPTED and the Planning ProcessThe City of Mississauga has implemented CPTED into the planning process of developmentapplication review and approvals in the following ways: The adoption of CPTED principles into the Mississauga’s Official Plan and DesignGuidelines; Reviewing all plan of subdivisions, site and landscape plans, OPA’s and rezoningapplications from a CPTED perspective; The Landscape Architects and Urban Designers of the Planning and Building Departmenthave had CPTED training in order to conduct the CPTED review of developmentapplications.Figure 4.4.1 Natural surveillance from open patio& inside spaceFigure 4.4.2 Residents’ eyes on the street & parkbeyond26MISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES

5.3 CPTED and New City Facilities and ParksIn January 2000, the City of Mississauga approved the following resolutions: That the CPTED principles be incorporated in all phases of the design, review and approval forall new City Building Projects and City Park Development Projects; That the teams of design professionals undertaking any new City Building Project and City ParkDevelopment Project for the City of Mississauga be required to have knowledge of and applyCPTED principles, and that this requirement be identified in each project’s Terms of Reference.Furthermore, the Landscape Architects of the Community Services Department and the ProjectManagers and Security staff of the new Corporate Services Department have had CPTED trainingin order to have CPTED implemented into their building and park projects.5.4 CPTED Audits for City FacilitiesIn January 2000, the City of Mississauga approved the following resolution:That the Peel Regional Police, the Mississauga CPTED Advisory Committee and the CommunityServices Department work jointly to coordinate and administer regular CPTED audits andprovide appropriate CPTED action plans for all City facilities, every three years.During the following years, a majority of the City facilities were renovated through the FederalInfrastructure Funding Program. Many CPTED recommendations from the CPTED Audit TaskForce were incorporated into these renovations. CPTED Audits are now conducted on as needsbasis.MISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES 27

5.5 The Mississauga CPTED Advisory CommitteeThe Mississauga CPTED AdvisoryCommittee was formed in 1996 underthe direction of the City’s Planning andBuilding Department. Its mandate is to createa sense of safe community for the citizens ofMississauga by utilizing CPTED principles inorder to reduce the fear and incidence ofcrime as well as improve the quality of life forall residents.The Mississauga CPTED Advisory Committeereviews plans for all new and redeveloped Cityfacilities and parks. The committee reviewsprivate development applications upon therequest of the Planning and BuildingDepartment and committee members areencouraged to bring forward any CPTED issueor concern they have to the CPTED meeting.The Mississauga CPTED Advisory Committeeincludes representatives from: Peel Regional Police Safe City Mississauga Planning and Building Department Community Services Department- Planning and Heritage Section- Park Development Section- Parks Section Corporate Services Department- Facilities Planning and DevelopmentSection- Security Section Transportation and Works Department- Development and Engineering Division- Enforcement Division28MISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES

GlossaryAbnormal User: Person whom you do not desireto be in a certain space.Crime: An act or commission of an act that isforbidden or the omission of a duty that iscommanded by a public law and that makes theoffender liable to punishment by that law.Crime can be divided into four main categories:ReportedUnreportedUnacknowledged (store shrinkage)UndetectedThe majority of crime is represented by the lastthree categories. For CPTED purposes, crime issimply the by-product of a human function that isnot working properly.Crime Prevention:The anticipation, recognition and appraisal of acrime risk and the initiation of some action toremove or reduce it. For crime prevention to work,it must effectively remove or reduce one (or more)of the three essential components found in the‘crime triangle’.Criminal DesireOpportunityVictimDefensible Space:A term used to describe a residentialenvironment whose physical characteristics—building layout and site plan—function to allowinhabitants themselves to become key agents inensuring their own security.Design: A term which, within the CPTED context,encompasses people and their physical and socialsurroundings.Environmental Design: A term which, withinthe CPTED context, is rooted in the design of theman/environment relation.Natural: A term which refers to deriving accesscontrol and surveillance as a by-product of thenormal and routine use of the environment.Normal User: Persons whom you desire to be ina certain space.Safe Activity: A target neutral activity thatresults in increased natural surveillance.Spatial Definition: A natural form of accesscontrol that relies on space to control access tothe property.Graffiti: The name for images or letteringscratched, scrawled, painted or marked in anymanner on the property. Defacing propertywithout the property owner's consent isconsidered vandalism, which is punishable bylaw.Vandalism: The wilful damaging or defacing ofproperty belonging to another person or to thepublic.By removing or effectively reducing any one ofthese components, you can effectively preventcrime.MISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES 29

ReferencesAngel, Schlomo. (1968). Discouraging CrimeThrough City Planning. (Paper No. 75).Berkeley, CA: Center for Planning andDevelopment Research, University of California atBerkeley.Peel CPTED Advisory Committee (2006),Crime Prevention Through EnvironmentalDesign Principles.Crowe, Tim. (2000). Crime PreventionThrough Environmental Design. 2nd edition.Boston: Butterworth - Heinman.ISBN 0-7506-7198-XJacobs, Jane (1961). The Death and Life ofGreat American Cities. New York: RandomHouse. ISBN 0-679-60047-7Jeffery, C. Ray. (1977). Crime PreventionThrough Environmental Design. Beverly Hills,CA: Sage Publications.Jeffery, C. Ray. (1990). Criminology: AnInterdisciplinary Approach. Englewood Cliffs,NJ: Prentice-Hall.Newman, Oscar. (1972). DefensibleSpace: Crime Prevention Through UrbanDesign. New York: Macmillan.ISBN 0-02-000750-7Robinson, Matthew B. (1996). "TheTheoretical Development of 'CPTED': 25Years of Responses to C. Ray Jeffery". Appearsin: Advances in Criminological Theory, Vol. 8.Url last accessed on May 6, 2006.CPTED Ontariohttp://www.cptedontario.caDesigning Out Crime Associationhttp://www.doca.org.ukFlorida CPTED Networkwww.flcpted.orgUnited States Designing Out CrimeAssociationwww.us-doca.comLuedtke, Gerald and Associates. (1970).Crime and the Physical City: NeighborhoodDesign Techniques for Crime Reduction.Washington D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice.30MISSISSAUGA CPTED PRINCIPLES

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