Analysing implications of visibility for crime occurrence in low income vertical rental-housing complex

Özet

This study analyses the correlation between visibility level and crime occurrenceinside a particular vertical rental-housing complex. The basic concept ofliving free from crime as explained by Newman in Defensible Space (1973) is exploredwith the main emphasis on residents gaining control over their living environment.This concept has been developed into a strategy called ‘crime preventionthrough environmental design’ (CPTED), which also considers the importanceof not only physical design but also social development within the building. Visibilityhas become a central focus of living free from crime as it enables people togain control over their environment. A case study of visibility levels was conductedin Jatinegara Barat Vertical Rental-Housing Complex, Indonesia. Residents inthis housing complex are low-income people. They have adapted over time as thecurrent housing type (vertical) differs from their previous housing type (horizontal).An analysis of visibility using a VGA with DepthmapX was conducted toprovide specific data regarding visibility levels inside the building. The visibilitygraph identified a place that was vulnerable to crime occurrence inside the buildingbecause of its low visibility caused by its spatial configuration. In addition,some areas’ visibility levels were defined not only by their physical properties butalso by their residents’ living habits. Further studies are required to analyse socialbackground features when interpreting similar spaces because of their effect onvisibility level in various ways.