CPTED is a multi-disciplinary approach to preventing crime. By redesigning the physical environment of vulnerable areas based on crime and risk factors, the Gwangju government is hoping to make the city a safer place. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
GWANGJU, March 30 (Korea Bizwire) – The southeastern city of Gwangju is adopting a new approach to deterring crime called Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), which will see a number of areas in the city redesigned in hopes of influencing offenders’ thinking before committing crimes.
The municipal government announced yesterday plans to redesign two neighborhoods in the city, including the Wolsan-dong and Wolgok 2-dong areas.
The two areas were selected as problems such as dark alleys, a concentration of old houses and residential buildings, and cultural differences between locals and foreign residents are all in urgent need of reform and intervention, the local government said.
By the end of the year, LED security lights, CCTV cameras, emergency bells, reflectors, and neon painted walls will be installed to discourage crime, with further plans to rebuild old infrastructure and the living environment.
“Our CPTED project will continue to focus on poor living environments and high-crime areas,” the government official who is in charge of urban regeneration policy said.
Residents will also form a neighborhood watch group on their own to bring the community a sense of security and safety.
CPTED is a multi-disciplinary approach to preventing crime. By redesigning the physical environment of vulnerable areas based on crime and risk factors, the Gwangju government is hoping to make the city a safer place.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
