PRESENTATION on
DEFENSIBLE SPACES AND
PRESENTED BY :
HIERARCHY BARSHA NEUPANE (CHIO78BAR002)
MONIKA SHARMA (CHIO78BAR010 )
PRASHAMSA GAUTAM (CHIO78BARO12)
RAJESHWOR DAHAL (CHIO78BAR015)
Defensible space
What is defensible space?
It’s the space that has territorial markers, opportunities
for surveillance, and clear indications of activity and
ownership.
Not just about physical barriers, but about creating a
sense of ownership and responsibility among residents
through built environment.
Pioneered by Oscar Newman in the 1970s, this concept
emphasizes social and psychological dimensions of
security, recognizing that well-designed spaces can deter
crime and foster a sense of belonging and collective
responsibility.
Factors that make defensible
spaces :
Clearly defined territories: Separate public and
private spaces with fences, landscaping, building
design, and designated pathways.
Natural surveillance: Ensure easy observation of
surrounding areas with
windows, balconies, streetlights, and open spaces.
Milieu: Positive influences nearby, like busy streets
or community centers.
Image: Well maintained spaces with positive vibes,
discouraging loitering or crime.
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Benefits of DefensiBLE
space design
• Reduced crime rates and increased safety
and security for residents.
• Improved visibility: Through trimming of
vegetation, making it easy to spot suspicious
activities.
• Enhanced community cohesion.
• Increased resident satisfaction – feeling safe
and secured.
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• DEFENSIBLE SPACE STRATEGIES
Placement of building entrances and windows to
overlook common areas.
Design of well-lit, inviting public spaces that encourage
use and social interaction.
Creation of semi-private buffer zones between public
and private spaces.
Use of landscaping and fencing to define boundaries
and deter unwanted access.
Provision of amenities like playgrounds and community
centers to promote activity and social interaction.
Citadel of Carcassonne (France)
This medieval fortress city features multiple
concentric walls, gatehouse, and watchtowers
creating a clear territoriality and natural
surveillance, making it a formidable defensible
structure for centuries.
Jacob K. Javits Center (New York City, USA)
This larger conventional center utilizes open
sightlines, clear way-finding and well-defined
security checkpoints to facilitate crowd control and
deter potential criminal activity.
.
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City beautiful movement
City beautiful moment : A nationwide trend in
landscaping at the turn of the 20th century led by
architects and landscape architects to make cities
in America as appealing as cities in Europe.This
moment was carried out in Beaux Arts Styles.
For example:
Nouvel Opera De Paris – Grand foyer as a soaring
space for public spectacle,echoing city beautiful
ideals and hidden courtyards offering privacy and
belonging-a nod to defensible space principles.
Palais De Justice, Brussels – Monumental
facade, interior maze creating controlled access and
layered security.
hierarchy
Architecture’s hierarchy: Not just tall buildings, architecture
whispers power through layered spaces.
Big spaces shout , small spaces whisper- Grand halls vs tucked-
away gardens.
Soaring halls, grand plazas, and monumental structures
command attention.
Materials matter – Stone screams importance , glass whispers
openness.
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HIERARCHY IN ARCHITECTURE IS NOT
JUST ABOUT SIZE, BUT ALSO ABOUT THE
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ELEMENTS,
THEIR CONNECTIONS AND THE FLOW OF
MOVEMENT. - TADAO ANDO
HIERARCHY IN ARCHITECTURE CAN
BE SUBTLE AND LAYERED NOT
ALWAYS RELYING ON OBVIOUS
VISUAL CUES. - PETER ZUMTHOR
QUOTES
hierarchial cues
Form and geometry Axis and vista
A bold, irregular form Framing a focal point
amidst simpler shapes through an axial vista, like
like Frank Llyold Wrights the Louvre’s perspective
falling water cantilevered focused on the pyramid,
over a waterfall, demands creates hierarchy of
attention. 2 importance. 4
Light and shadow Materiality and
1 Scale and proportion texture
Monumentality in size and intricate Directed light bathing a Contrasting materials, like
detailing can elevate an element, feature in elimination, like the smooth marble
like soaring atrium in Grand mosque Oculus in the Pantheon, against the rustic brick in
of Mecca or delicately carved elevates its significance. the Basillica di San
capitals in Parthenon. Marco, can highlight
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specific element.
Color and Pattern:
Vibrant hues set against a neutral palette, like the blue
stained glass windows in Chartres Cathedral, draw the
eye.
Movement and Circulation:
Guiding lines like walkways or stairs leading to a central
space, like the spiral staircase in the Guggenheim
Museum, establish a hierarchy of importance.
HIERARCHY AND
DEFENSIBLE SPACES
Outer Walls: High fences, controlled entrances, and clear
boundaries create a hierarchy of access, prioritizing residents and
deterring unwanted visitors.
Inner Courtyard: Central gathering areas and well-lit pathways
establish a sense of community and control, where residents feel
empowered to watch over each other.
Strong Towers: Key points like entrances or security features
become prominent, commanding attention and reinforcing the
defensive structure.
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ANY QUERIES ?
THANK YOU !
