Safety
Areas which are poorly lit and rarely used can often feel threatening
and encourage antisocial behaviour which affects local businesses
and had a negative impact on the quality of life of the local
community.
There are several design approaches which can be applied to improve
the safety of the public realm such as promoting active frontages
to encourage natural surveillance thus reducing the fear of crime
and discourage anti-social behaviour. A good lighting strategy
can also improve the safety of an area as areas that are poorly
lit and rarely used can feel threatening and attract antisocial
behaviour which will affect businesses, customers and the local
community.
Active Frontages
A mixture of uses should be encouraged as part of any development
proposal to increase pedestrian activity throughout the day extending
the hours of natural surveillance.
Where appropriate commercial and ancillary activities should
be integrated with industrial uses to increase pedestrian and
vehicular activity in these areas.
Ground floor uses should comprise retail, commercial and residential
uses to generate street level activity and avoid blank facades.
Parking within the ground floor of buildings will not normally
be permitted especially where this displaces other accommodation
from street level.
Blank facades create unattractive pedestrian environment.
An active frontage has been creative as part of the redevelopment
of Victoria Quay.
Design and Orientation of Buildings
The siting and design of any new building should maximise surveillance
along streets, spaces, car parks and pedestrian routes.
The design of new buildings should avoid recess and set back
features unless absolutely necessary to the function of the building
as they often create hiding places and increase the fear of crime.
Entrances to buildings should be overlooked and well lit to maximise
security after dark.
An unobstructed view from dwellings to external streets and spaces
should be provided to maximise natural surveillance.
Buildings should be sited to allow windows and entrances to overlook
streets and other pedestrian routes within the site.
Building design or landscaping should not restrict surveillance
of pedestrians or provide places to hide alongside pedestrian
routes and spaces.
Open Space
Public open spaces including streets, car parks, cycle stands
and public squares should be well observed by surrounding uses
and evenly lit at night.
Children’s play areas should have clearly defined but permeable
boundaries to prevent unauthorised vehicular access while facilitating
natural surveillance.
Boundary treatments should provide a secure edge but should not
restrict views into and out of the site unless it has been agreed
that a landscaped screen is required on a particular boundary.
Public spaces should be designed to ensure that there are no
unnecessary paths which could be used as a hiding place or an
escape route for criminal activity.
Low growing shrub planting should be encouraged along pedestrian
routes and the perimeter of public spaces where appropriate to
avoid creating hiding places. Trees along pedestrian street and
spaces should be well spaced out with high canopies to the maximise
visibility of both the user and those who overlook these areas.
Bus, train and tram stops should be well observed from the surrounding
area on a 24 hour basis.
Play park at Edward Street flats is well overlooked.
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Well spaceed trees at Devonshire Green delinate the space
while allowing views through.
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| Example
of CCTV camera with signage integrated into the design |
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CCTV mounts proposed for Sheffield City
Centre |
CCTV
In some areas a monitored Close Circuit Television (CCTV) system
covering the key streets and spaces and particular problem areas
may by needed. The use of CCTV cameras in public places can deter
and help detect crime.
The sensitive siting of CCTV cameras is essential. They should
be visible to the general public however should not detract from
the visual attractiveness of key public spaces, streets and buildings.
Lighting
Good lighting can deter criminals and help reduce the fear of
crime it is therefore important to ensure that all pedestrian
areas, routes and car parks are properly lit and conforms to British
Standards (BS5489).
