Universal Principles of Design, Updated and Expanded Third Edition

045 Defensible Space

An environment designed to signal ownership and deter crime.

Defensible spaces are used to deter crime. A defensible space is an area such as a neighborhood, house, park, or office that has features that convey ownership and afford easy and frequent surveillance. These features allow residents to establish control over their private and community property and ultimately deter criminal activity.1

There are three key features of defensible spaces:

1. Territoriality — Establishing clearly defined spaces of ownership. Community signs and gates cultivate a community identity and mark the collective territory of residents; visible boundaries such as walls, hedges, and fences create private yards; and elements such as private trash ...