Inventory of Perception of Safety in an Urban Educational Campus

Past research studies have shown that perception of safety is affected by personal as well as spatial variables. Architects have control over spatial variables and can help design safer spaces by appropriating the spatial variables. Various studies have explored the relationship between crime and the physical environment. It has been noted that certain settings are conducive to particular types of behavior that precipitate criminal activity. Safety of the users is an important aspect to be considered in architectural design and campus planning of educational institutes. Safer environments can encourage the fair use of the spatial resources and for a longer duration. Hence it is essential to understand the spatiality of crimes and vulnerable spaces. With this objective, case study research was carried out at an educational institute in Pune. In depth interviews with the key informants such as security personnel, police, administrators were carried out. Structured interviews with students and teachers were carried out. Appleton's model of Prospect Refuge Theory [1975] was used to analyze the spatiality of crime. The mapped places revealed association of crime with certain types of spatial characteristics and the theory was corroborated. In the contemporary times, the safety concerns are growing and active devices and manual control being implemented. But sensitive architectural design can help in achieving better surveillance over spaces and help curtail the occurrence of crime.