Planning against crime: preventing crime with people not barriers

Abstract

In SA Crime Quarterly No 8 2004, the argument was made for better use of bylaws by city governments in an effort to prevent crime. Another equally effective tool available to municipalities lies in the area of urban planning. Crime is closely tied to the places in which it occurs. That is why many residents and businesses have opted for enclosed neighbourhoods and security villages. But there are alternatives that avoid the problems of access and exclusion that come with erecting barriers. A model recently piloted by the CSIR shows the benefits of directly involving residents in the planning of integrated safety strategies for their area.