Anti-social Behaviour and Urban Configuration: Using Space Syntax to Understand Spatial Patterns of Socio-environmental Disorder

Friedrich, Eva, Hillier, Bill and Chiaradia, Alain J. 2009. Anti-social Behaviour and Urban Configuration: Using Space Syntax to Understand Spatial Patterns of Socio-environmental Disorder. Presented at: 7th International Space Syntax Symposium, Stockholm, Sweden, 8-11 June 2009. Published in: Koch, Daniel, Marcus, Lars and Steen, Jesper eds. Proceedings of the 7th International Space Syntax Symposium. Stockholm: KTH,

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Abstract

This paper explores spatial properties of urban environments in relation to the occurrence of antisocial behaviour (ASB). This is a new approach depart from previous research which considers ASB predominantly from the socio-economic perspective. ASB, in contrast to crime, is a phenomenon which lacks clear formal definition - its borders to 'normal' or acceptable behaviour on the one end of the spectrum and criminal behaviour on its other end are blurred. What is perceived as 'antisocial' by the individual is typically highly subjective and depends on the observer's personal background (age, cultural background, gender etc). Sensitivity to disorder is also dependent on the backdrop of the urban scene - certain behaviour appears acceptable in certain environments whereas in others it is not. Any data set of reported ASB incidents is therefore inherently affected not only by lack of definition / definability of ASB and the reporting and recording practices, but also biased by the type of urban environment in which it takes place. Our findings suggests that, controlling for social differences, that patterns of ASB incidents can be correlated to physical properties of the environment, if we consider the environment in terms of its syntactical properties. We find generic patterns of incidents in different types of spatial layouts. We suggest that these patterns can be explained in the light of co-presence for pedestrians on the street and surveillance from residential entrances on the streets, with ASB withdrawing from both. This links our work to findings in the research on crime, and also to findings in the field of the social sciences: our findings might contribute to an understanding how communities organise in space and become 'socially effective' against disorder and crime.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Geography and Planning (GEOPL)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
Publisher:	KTH
ISBN:	9789174153477
Related URLs:	Publisher
Last Modified:	07 Nov 2019 09:08
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/26675

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