Case Study 1

5/10/2012

Top Quality Architects, LP

My company, Top Quality Architects has just recently won a bid to construct a high rise residential apartment building. Before we get started there are a few considerations to take a look at during the beginning of this new project. The location that the construction will take place borders a high crime urban area. When we construct this building we want our residents to feel safe while living here whether they are parking their vehicle or just exiting or entering the apartment building. Our design will not include ground floor apartments simply because we feel that there is no security and public to private entrance will only increase the possibility of a crime to happen. In order to do this we would have to apply the crime prevention through environmental design concept. Crime prevention through environmental design or CPTED reduces the opportunity of crime occurring. We know that it is impossible to mitigate crime permanently so we take every precaution we can to reduce it by a large percentage. To be effective and truly implement the CPTED principles, the design factors must be blended with the social (human) factors of the environment. This blend requires the involvement of trained and dedicated individuals, (a mix of government, neighborhood, and business representatives) from its design through it use, individuals from very diverse disciplines coming together to design an environment for people to experience life without fear, and improving the quality of life for all individuals where they live, where they work, and where they play or relax, now and in the future. (Krehnke, 2009)

Territoriality The first thing I am going to touch basis on is territoriality because with the apartment buildings being located in a central area bordering a high crime location, it is important to define specifics areas that we want to consider private and public. With this being a residential area it has to be known to non-residents that certain areas are private and that there will be special code to enter the building. This code is strictly for the use of residents who are solely responsible for the lease. Due to area we understand that there will be other businesses not far, so we see it being smart to put up a barrier or privacy fencing around the building. This fencing will block out unwanted access and will only allow a one way entrance and exit in the front. Close-circuit television monitors will always be available and place in positions to include blind spots and any other space that could give a criminal a chance to commit a crime. Defensible space theory would be taken into consideration as well because it is not just about fencing but about the reassignment of areas and responsibilities. Defensible space relies on self-help rather than on government intervention, and so is not vulnerable to government's withdrawal of support. It depends on residents' involvement to reduce crime and remove the presence of criminals. It has the ability to bring people together of different incomes and race in mutually beneficial union. For low-income people, it can provide an introduction to the benefits of mainstream life and an opportunity to see how their own actions can better the world around them and lead to upward mobility. (Newman, 1999-2002)

Natural Surveillance Natural surveillance limits the opportunity for crime by taking steps to increase the perception that people can be seen. In the construction of the apartment building we want to make sure that we do not add so much to where it may increase the possibility of a crime. What I mean when I make this statement is that if a criminal feels that he or she cannot be seen due to a physical feature blocking the outside view, more than likely they will attempt to commit a crime. I mention earlier that I wanted set up privacy fencing, but with CCTV monitors monitoring a 360 view to include dead spaces and corners. For example take into consideration the parking lots where most people nowadays will get off work at sunset and visibility minimizes. Just by decreasing the amount of scrubs could reduce crime and enhance natural surveillance in a parking lot. Most street lights do not come on at a certain time, so just by maintaining the perception of visibility will make criminals think twice about committing a crime even after sunset.

Design Guidelines
The design guidelines will be followed according to most high rise apartment building except for the fact that we will not be including ground floor residential area for residents to live. Design guidelines are critical in creating a definable and defensible space through the use of architecture and planning. The thoughtful and effective use of design guidelines, particularly in the design of new urban residential complexes, fosters a greater sense of territoriality as well as increased natural surveillance for the complexes residents. Main reason is that this alone could increase the possibility of becoming a victim of a crime. Living areas will actually start on the second level and upon entrance in the building there will an access code that will be used to gain entrance unless staff permits. The inside layers of the building will have CCTV monitors mounted at each end of the hallways and all the doors will be assessed with top quality dead bolt locks. We will design two peep holes in all the doors for families with kids allowing them to be able to see who is knocking or paging before opening the doors. Like we stated before a special code will be added to gain entrance into the building and just case of any mechanical failures there will always be a staff on duty to permit entrance after verifying the apartment number with name matching to the list. After set-up everyone’s name versus lease will start and end date will be kept electronically in the computer system for better manage by staff. No personal information to social security numbers will be involved in this criterion.
Territory and Personal Defense Strategies Territoriality is the range, or area, around a dwelling in which a person feels comfortable in exerting their personal social control. This can be best described in the example of the classic single family home owner who assumes responsibility for and takes action on happenings that take place not only within the walls of the home but in the surrounding yard and property as well. The urban climate in our society has grown and changed over the last few decades and so has the nature of the average person's claims to personal defensible space. Effective planning and use of territoriality can lead to improved natural surveillance. Natural surveillance is the ability of all people to observe the surroundings, clearly seeing the range of normal activity that takes place in an area in order to identify behavior or personnel which are potentially threatening in some way and to take action pertaining to those issues. Higher levels of visibility create a greater chance for observation and action. In most cases, before an observer will take action they must feel that personal or property rights are being violated, they must be able to identify with the victim and they must feel that by taking action they will be both helping the victim and that they will be safe from retribution. A general contractor who keeps both territoriality and natural surveillance in mind while creating design guidelines will assist in keeping future residents safer and improving the quality of life in a community. (Fish, 2006)
Confidence Restoration Strategies
We will implement every strategy to make the residents feel safe about their environment and new home. Well lit parking lot and lighting surrounding the play areas and lounge areas outside will increase residential trust in the law. Constant communication with local law enforcement and onsite or just a patrol car in the area can aide in restoring confidence in the community. The security system that will be installed throughout the apartment building will be connected to the local police department and an estimate response time will be quick or every situation will be treated as high intense. Local venders will be coming in and out to replenish snack machines in the area and with their being a lobby open for conferences, this will make it a more friendly and safe place to live and have social gatherings.

References

Bibliography
Fish, E. (2006). Security. Security issues for General Contractors, 30-36.
Krehnke, M. (2009, March 08). Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. Retrieved May 10, 2012, from Infosec Today: http://www.infosectoday.com/Articles/CPTED.htm
Newman, O. (1999-2002). Defensible Space. New York: HUD Office of Policy Research and Development.