RISK ASSESSMENT CATEGORY 5
Category 6: Large Scale on existing developments
The most advanced level of analysis is applied to large-scale developments, or very high-risk developments. Projects included at this level include the construction of new towns, rebuilding downtown areas, large infill housing redevelopments, and development of new suburbs. They may also include highly vulnerable developments, such as new buildings in a skid row area or in an area with open air, illegal drug markets.
Data collection and analytical techniques in these categories build upon those of previous categories, but some are new. For example, the basic crime mapping conducted for early analysis of medium scale development analyze where there are any hotspots or geographic concentrations of a high level of crime. At this more advanced level, sophisticated GIS mapping analysis allows more in depth analysis of the nuances of crime patterns. Density mapping may be needed to address the problem of stacked overlaid points and crowding, and provide smooth and regular transitions over a study area (Iseki, 2006). Issues of crime displacement can be observed and addressed since crime is not a constant but an ever-evolving factor.
In addition, advanced analytical methods capitalize on collaborative research and planning. Planning meetings, design charrettes, and safety audits are also part of the analyst’s toolbox.
Category 6 methods include:
This Risk Assessment Matrix provides a comprehensive process for any given site. It also provides the baseline data that will allow measurements afterward to determine the effectiveness of strategies. It will help determine whether crime has been displaced, or whether crime has increased, or still persists.
Data collection and analytical techniques in these categories build upon those of previous categories, but some are new. For example, the basic crime mapping conducted for early analysis of medium scale development analyze where there are any hotspots or geographic concentrations of a high level of crime. At this more advanced level, sophisticated GIS mapping analysis allows more in depth analysis of the nuances of crime patterns. Density mapping may be needed to address the problem of stacked overlaid points and crowding, and provide smooth and regular transitions over a study area (Iseki, 2006). Issues of crime displacement can be observed and addressed since crime is not a constant but an ever-evolving factor.
In addition, advanced analytical methods capitalize on collaborative research and planning. Planning meetings, design charrettes, and safety audits are also part of the analyst’s toolbox.
Category 6 methods include:
- Co-planning meetings: Numerous stakeholders, with the various data from the analysis steps, working alongside designers to interpret the data and co-design the site plan.
- Search conferences: Community planning and visioning workshops facilitated with small groups over a few days. Facilitators help local residents, property owners, city council members, police, SafeGrowth and CPTED specialists, and designers to create a vision, and a set of design guidelines, for new developments.
- Safety audits: Property owners, residents, local police, and SafeGrowth and CPTED practitioners conduct nighttime audits and collect perception data about problems and solutions at a specific site, including fear of crime areas. The safety audit is the most effective method to collect fear of crime information.
- Crime forecasts: Crime data should be gathered for time series analysis. This includes at least three years prior to the existing start of the analysis in order to see if the trends are changing in the present. Future projections can be made with different statistical models.
- Design charrettes: In a design charrette architects, property owners, SafeGrowth and CPTED practitioners, and other key stakeholders conduct a desktop exercise together on a site plan and brainstorm design ideas with the actual drawings.
This Risk Assessment Matrix provides a comprehensive process for any given site. It also provides the baseline data that will allow measurements afterward to determine the effectiveness of strategies. It will help determine whether crime has been displaced, or whether crime has increased, or still persists.
