Criminology Research Council grant ; (9/83)
This research project focussed on one major product: the preparation of a manual of site-planning guidelines for medium density public housing in Australia. That manual has been produced, together with an extensive bibliography of references related to the topic and an annotated slide lecture designed to accompany the manual.
The process of preparing the manual involved the editing and updating of a chapter of a forthcoming book on the design of medium-density housing by the researcher and Clare Cooper Marcus, Professor of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at the University of California, Berkeley. That book, Housing as if People Mattered, allocated one chapter of approximately 50 pages to 'security and vandalism' issues. Although the book drew on some Australian research, its design guidelines had never been tested in Australian field situations and much of the research had an American and British bias. Some recent research had not been assessed when the manuscript was completed in 1983. Therefore, the task was to give the chapter to people with expertise in this area and ask them to annotate it, add suggestions from their own experience and correct obvious errors. The input from the practitioners was supplemented by three other sources.
First, an extensive post-occupancy evaluation was conducted by the author in Minto, Campbelltown, outer-suburban Sydney during the period of this research project. Funded by the Housing Commission, this research allowed the researcher to test certain hypotheses about crime and vandalism in four sites, one of which is particularly high in crime. The results of the survey of 212 households, which were not available until late February 1984, were used to modify certain guidelines, especially regarding parking and window design and location.
Second, extensive field observations were made on sites in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, concentrating on 'problem' areas in city environments where crime is a problem. These site visits were documented by hundreds of slides and photographs, which became the illustrations for the manual and a slide presentation.
Third, in-depth discussion and meetings were held with individuals and groups to discuss the issues arising from this research. In particular, field management staff in Elizabeth, South Australia and the Liverpool region, Sydney, provided invaluable assistance. Work-in-progress was discussed with two professional colleagues, Professor Clare Cooper Marcus and Donald Perlgut, who is a leading authority in the field.
Plans are being made for the publication of the manual and a collection of slides which are suitable for group presentations.