Thesis
Exploring the relationship between environmental design and crime: A case study of the Gonzaga University district
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2010
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/100475
Abstract
Most people never consider that physical characteristics can be altered to prevent crimes, but there is a growing body of evidence showing that crimes are not randomly distributed and can indeed be connected with certain environmental factors. The intent of this thesis is to understand the linkage between the design and management of the physical environment and crime prevention. This paper explores their connection by reviewing the five environmental crime prevention theories, including Jacobs's "Eyes on the street," Newman's "Defensible Space," Appleton's Prospect-Refuge Theory, Crowe's Crime Prevention Through Environmental Theory and Hillier's Space Syntax Theory. Most of these theories asserted that lighting, vegetation, building design, public video surveillance, fences and signs can achieve forms of surveillance and enhance territorial identity as well as increase perception of safety. A number of studies focused on concern with the relationship between crime and physical elements. However, few studies have pursued the evaluation of whether and how these physical characteristics are effective, as asserted by the five theories. For the purposes of this research, 11 physical factors are examined in and around Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington. 31 zones are divided by blocks in the study area. The on-site rating standards for these factors are selected based on the tenets of five environmental crime prevention theories. The study focuses on assault, burglary, theft, and robbery crime. The actual crime records are collected from Spokane Police Department for the period 2/1/2005 to 4/30/2010. Usage of the correlation coefficient statistic, the correlations of environmental factors and actual crimes are examined. This research supports some of the tenets of previous environmental theories and studies. A major finding of this work is shrubbery, the orientation of the building and flood light have impact on crimes. Other factors, including street lighting, tree, window bar, fence and sign have little impact on crimes. The effectiveness of CCTV, the number of building entrance and deadbolt lock with crimes are uncertain.
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Details
- Title
- Exploring the relationship between environmental design and crime
- Creators
- Xin Lin
- Contributors
- Kerry Brooks (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Horticulture, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525163901842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis