LGC is now CivicWell – Visit our new website >>

Designs and Codes That Reduce Crime Around Multifamily Housing

  1. Home
  3. Fact Sheet
  5. Designs and Codes That Reduce Crime Around Multifamily Housing

Research shows that crime rates are influenced by the design of both the building and the space surrounding the building. This 4-page fact sheet (PDF, 232 KB) highlights some of the key design concepts that architects, landscape architects, planners, and elected officials can employ to help ensure that new multifamily housing remains crime-free.

Designs and Codes that Reduce Crime around Multifamily Housing (PDF, 232 KB)

Implementing these Ideas

A number of local agencies have converted anti-crime design concepts into local codes and guidelines for new development and redevelopment. Examples and guidelines are available in our Guidelines section.

References used in writing Designs and Codes that Reduce Crime Around Multifamily Housing:

  • O. Newman, Design Guidelines for Creating Defensible Space (1975) Washington, D.C.: U.S. Departmental Justice, Law Enforcement Assistance Administration.
  • C. Cooper, Resident Attitudes Towards the Environment at St. Francis Square, San Francisco: A Summary of the Initial Findings, Working paper No. 126 (Berkeley: University of California, Institute of Urban and Regional Development, July 1970.)
  • A. Zelinka and D. Brennan, Safescape (2001) American Planning Association.
  • R.L. Cole, Kuo, F.E. Kuo and W.C. Sullivan (1997) Where does community grow? The social context created by nature in urban public housing. Environment & Behavior, 29(4), 468-492.
  • F.E. Kuo & W.C. Sullivan (2001) Environment and crime in the inner city: Does vegetation reduce crime? Environment & Behavior, 33(3)343-367.
  • F.E. Kuo, et. al., (1998). Fertile ground for community: Inner-city neighborhood common spaces. American Journal of Community Psychology, 26(1)823-851.
  • R. Sampson, S. Raudenbush and F. Earls (1997) Neighborhoods and Violent Crime” A multilevel Study of Collective Efficacy, Science, Vol. 277, August 15.
  • H. Cisneros, (1995) Defensible Space: Deterring Crime and Building Community, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
  • Local Government Commission, (1997) Livable Place Update, February Issue, Sacramento, California.

This publication was developed and produced with a grant by Fannie Mae.

Menu