Fear of crime and design: Exploring the linkages in a seniors' housing complex

This project explores the influence of environmental factors on older adults' fear of crime. Based on the crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) model, four environmental domains were examined: natural access control, natural surveillance, territoriality and maintenance. These are linked to fear of crime using person-environment theory. The data used in this study was based on a questionnaire comprised of structured questions provided to a sample (n=102) of older residents living in an age-heterogeneous housing complex in Vancouver, British Columbia. Respondents evaluated environmental features linked to the CPTED model and reported on self-perceptions of crime and their surrounding neighbourhood. Findings suggest that fear of crime is significantly correlated with gender and social disorder variables. It is concluded that, in terms of fear of crime, neighbourhood context variables have limited explanatory power based on this pilot project, but further research is necessary to establish more definitive results.