The Art of Natural Surveillance
Posted on April 5, 2008
Surveillance need not be all technology and gadgets. This has been proven to a certain degree in the aspect of crime prevention through environmental design. This idea features “defensible space” models which rely on the ability to influence offender’s decision preceding criminal acts. It is based on the theory that the decision to offend or not is influenced by the perceived risk of detection and apprehension.
The opportunity for crime is limited by a design that maximizes usability and foster positive social interaction. This makes the offender feel increased scrutiny and limitations to escape routes. In reality, it is not only the fact that offenders might be seen that matters, but how much the offenders “think” they will be seen. Natural surveillance might just succeed where technology failed.
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