Universal Principles of Design, Revised and Updated
by William Lidwell, Kritina Holden, Jill Butler
Defensible Space
A space that has territorial markers, opportunities for surveillance, and clear indications of activity and ownership.
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. There are three key features of defensible spaces: territoriality, surveillance, and symbolic barriers.1
Territoriality is the establishment of clearly defined spaces of ownership. Common territorial features include community markers and gates to cultivate a community identity ...
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