THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE LINK between behaviour and space has long been established by Spatial Planners and Urban Ecologists. Theories such as the "Broken Window" hypothesis argue that visual disorder and spatial layout encourages criminal behaviour. Moreover the uses of space have a direct impact on behaviour. The spatial conditions within some communities of the Kingston Metropolitan Region (KMR) help to promote feelings of despondency, frustration, hopelessness, and aversion that normally precede and accompany criminal behaviour.
Thus I am ultimately concerned about policies and programmes that promote these conditions within the KMR and in other sections of the country. The layout and use of the urban space within the KMR too easily facilitate criminals and criminal behaviour. The spatial layout of informal settlements (squatter communities, ghetto conditions and, zinc fence communities) makes policing difficult and often times impossible.
LATITUDE
As a rule there should be no space within the urban area where it is impossible for the essential services (fire fighters, ambulances, police, army, garbage collectors, postal workers, utility meter readers and such) to enter and do their job. No community should be allowed the unlimited latitude to define iits own spatial layout without the input of the KSAC and National Environment and Planning Agency the institutions who have direct control (inter alia) over the space planning aspects of the KMR.
In order to maintain social order there must be some formal deliberate input in the spatial planning of urban communities. Where the spatial layout (and location) of a community makes it impossible or difficult for the police to go in and manoeuvre properly then the assistance of spatial planners should be sought to regularise the spatial conditions of that community.
EXCLUSIVE ACCESS
As long as a community feel that they have exclusive access to the space(s) within the community and that they alone have the "blue print" for how the community is laid out then they will always have the confidence that this community will provide a safe haven for them from the lawmen.
There are also added benefits to be gained by proper spatial planning of urban communities. Some of these benefits include; health, infrastructure, social order and cohesion and general healthy living conditions. The national security sector needs to become involved in the spatial re-planning of these communities. Alternatively the institutions and personnel responsible for spatial planning must begin to seriously incorporate security concerns in such initiatives as squatter upgrade and regularisation, zinc fence removal and general urban redevelopment. Let's make our urban spaces crime free!
I am, etc.,
EARL BAILEY
earlplanner@hotmail.com
Constant Spring
Kingston
