Why should we think about security as part of retrofitting projects?

The ageing infrastructure of our cities is often a major factor in increasing fear of crime. To create a sense of community, it is important that people feel safe in the built environment. For example, if there are disused spaces or dead ends where there’s no natural surveillance, or a lot of graffiti, these things make people feel they’re at higher risk of being a victim.

This particularly affects women, who are often reluctant to use public spaces for fear of harassment or attack. For example, research by my WSP colleagues in London found that 94% of women felt threatened when using public transport, and that 76% avoided doing so at night.

What strategies could we incorporate in low-carbon retrofits, to improve neighbourhood safety?

One effective low-carbon option is to apply Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles, which are about designing urban environments to reduce both crime and fear of crime. If we’re retrofitting neighbourhood safety measures, we might consider ways to promote natural surveillance, eliminate hiding places and create boundaries. Removing unnecessary fencing, or replacing it with more transparent options, makes a space feel more open. Rather than bollards, we can use natural access control measures such as planting to divert people onto a certain route through the development or restrict vehicle access, while having a positive environmental impact.

We can also introduce benches or seating, which creates a barrier and increases natural surveillance, and makes public spaces more welcoming. A study in South Korea looked at effects of applying CPTED principles to regenerate deteriorating neighbourhoods in Seoul. They found that in areas that were better maintained, with CCTV coverage and streetlighting, fear of crime was lower and people walked more frequently.

There are technological solutions too. Replacing fluorescent bulbs with LEDs in streetlights makes urban landscapes brighter, while reducing energy consumption. Digital camera systems that use video motion detection take up less hard drive space than analogue systems, and as we move towards the Internet of Things, they can be integrated into central building management systems so that energy is only used when required.