Personal Safety

As described in Jane Jacobs’ book “The Death and Life of Great American Cities,” design can contribute significantly to safety.  Local governments can:

• Encourage buildings with offices and/or homes overlooking the street, to provide “eyes on the street.”

• Encourage diverse uses, so that different people are coming and going throughout the day and evening.

•  Adopt Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles – this is typical of many local governments.

Public Realm

Design of the public realm can create interest for residents, drawing them into public spaces and helping to encourage and focus pedestrian life in the neighborhood. 

• Encourage focal points for pedestrian activity: transit stations, squares, plazas, schools and parks. These can also contribute to a sense of identity for the area.

• Use landscaping, street furniture, paving materials, and other design elements to create variety and give people places to rest and watch others.