Best practice of Wiener Wohnen, Austria
Inspired by the so-called ‘defensible space theory’ by architect and city planner Oscar Newman, the project ‘crime prevention inspections before modernisation’ was born in 2016. A defensible space is a “residential environment whose physical characteristics – building-layout and site-plan – function to allow inhabitants themselves to become key agents in ensuring their security”. The idea is that crime and delinquency can be controlled and mitigated through environmental design.
The project increases the awareness and the knowledge about security in residential buildings within Wiener Wohnen. The housing company receives professional recommendations from the crime prevention experts of the police for improving security.
- For the police and Wiener Wohnen: the district officers get information immediately about the residents’ security concerns and fears. The responsible officers get the mobile number of the responsible account managers of Wiener Wohnen. Both organisations share their knowledge on local security issues. They regularly exchange ideas by communicating directly.
- For the tenants: the aim of the project is to combat “zones of fear” (areas, in which people feel unsafe) and to increase the quality of life of the residents.
Find out more
To find out more on this initiative, please do not hesitate to contact the organisation’s Coordinator through the Members Only Zone.