Using CPTED Principles to Design Safer College Campuses
As threats evolve, it is crucial for colleges and universities to find solutions that address the unique security needs of their campuses. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) offers an innovative framework for creating safer spaces while fostering the collaborative spirit of higher education.
In an article for Campus Safety, AEI’s Sean Ahrens discusses how colleges can implement the core principles of CPTED to transform their physical environments and reduce opportunities for criminal activity. Strategies include:
• Promoting visibility through natural surveillance
• Influencing people’s movement through natural access control
• Establishing ownership and control over a space by defining boundaries
• Facilitating activities that increase the presence of legitimate users in a space
• Creating curb appeal through consistent upkeep.
With sprawling campuses featuring multiple access points and complex infrastructure, administrators and campus safety managers often find themselves balancing the need to enhance security with managing rising costs. CPTED can be one of the most cost-effective approaches to minimizing risk and enhancing security, as it proactively provides the greatest deterrent to crime—witness potential.