The New Super Heroes: Using CPTED, Placemaking, Charrettes, and Participatory Research to Fight Crime

Linda Nubani (Michigan State University)
Holly Madill (National Charrette Institute)

Since its introduction in the 70s, researchers have introduced two revisions: First generation CPTED and Second generation CPTED. This paper argues that regardless of these interpretations, CPTED was originally founded around the principles of achieving defensible space and sense of community. Placemaking, another philosophy that was also launched in the 70s and more recently used as an economic development tool to activate urban spaces, focuses on promoting health and well-being of people using urban design principles. This study provides an overview of participatory research that couples CPTED and placemaking to restore quality of life toresidents in high-crime neighborhoods. Although piloted in an identified, high-crime neighborhood in Lansing, Michigan, the processes, findings, and results represent a solution that can be applicable to blocks or neighborhoods of different scales and different sociodemographic and physical conditions. Working with the Lansing Neighborhoods, Planning, and Police Departments, the research team has identified hotspots and co- developed the participatory methods. The researchers layered placemaking assets and crime predictors in GIS to understand the potential correlations and identify opportunities to address criminal activity through CPTED and placemaking. The research team used a multi-day design charrette to identify crime prevention and placemaking strategies and develop implementation and sustainability plans. This robust engagement strategy will build the social capital of the neighborhoods and community partners to implement the strategies they co-develop and will create a model that can be used throughout the City and beyond. This project creates a replicable and scalable model for achieving three goals: (1) engaging residents in a high crime neighborhood to combat crime, (2) enhancing neighborhood conditions, and (3) increasing social capital. Anticipated strategies include creating policies to implement and enforce CPTED, using technology to identify high crime areas, linking to existing crime prevention efforts, and engaging in placemaking and social and entrepreneurial events.