U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Design Guidelines for Creating Defensible Space

NCJ Number
148313
Author(s)
O Newman
Date Published
1976
Length
234 pages
Annotation
This manual was prepared for architects, developers, housing agencies, and community groups to demonstrate how the problems of residential security can be addressed n the initial planning and design stages; the manual presents alternative plans and designs for housing that can be built at costs equivalent to and in some cases lower than existing housing.
Abstract
The text examines how social, physical, managerial, and economic factors combine to produce secure housing. It also examines security hardware requirements and building and site plan configurations that produce the most effective and economical use of security personnel. The discussion also focuses on how the physical form of housing developments, when addressed to the needs and lifestyles of particular types of residents, gives each group natural and continuing control of its living area. The purpose of defensible space design is to enable residents to become the critical force in providing their own security. The guidelines are addressed to the needs of all income groups and all types of housing. Figures, illustrations, photographs, chapter notes, and appended information on costs, construction materials and methods, and specific aspects of design