In recent years there has been a trend in major Australian cities to revitalise inner city and adjacent suburbs by encouraging people to live in the city.
According to consultanting engineer CCD Australia managing director Kerran Campbell, inner city living has many benefits, yet some lack of security.
“Rarely do developers or inner city planners consider security when creating these residential pockets,” Mr Campbell said.
“It has been generally assumed that individuals can apply security in the form of physical attributes or alarm systems to cater for security related issues which will arise.”
The principle of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is rarely applied.
Mr Campbell said if the principles of this philosophy were considered in depth at the planning stages of residential developments, and the basic measures incorporated, the natural security of any residential facility could be greatly enhanced.
The other issue is the pace of life today, combined with electronic technologies, which tends to prevent people from meeting and interacting with their neighbours.
“Many residents of inner city living do not have the interaction with their neighbours as they might have in the suburbs,” Mr Campbell said.