Enhancing Safety and Security in Residential Communities: A Defensible Space Approach in the Beverly Hills Compound, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Architecture Department, Faculty of Engineering, MSA University, Egypt.

2 Associate Professor, Architectural Engineering and Environmental Design Department, Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, Egypt

Abstract

Ensuring safety and security in residential areas poses an ongoing challenge even within gated communities. This study explores the application of defensible space principles in the Beverly Hills compound, a residential development in Egypt. To establish a framework that enhances residents' safety and security. The study incorporates a comprehensive review of defensible spaces as a theoretical lens. employing a mixed-method approach that involves an observational study of the district and a detailed survey to analyze proposed defensible space attributes that influence perceptions of safety and security such as territoriality, natural surveillance, access control, and social cohesion. The survey findings provide insights into how residents prioritize and perceive the importance of proposed design features. Highlighting the critical significance of access control measures, such as restricted entry and private gates, while personal status representations, like façade decorations and balcony designs, are of relatively lower priority. This suggests that residents prioritize functional and security-oriented aspects of the built environment. The derived findings inform the development of a comprehensive framework comprising eight key approaches represented by specific design attributes for enhancing safety and security in residential gated communities. These insights can guide urban planners, designers, and policymakers in improving safety and security in gated communities.

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