In this course, the intersection of how individuals’ age, gender, ethnic background and identity to create barriers and obstacles to safety is examined. Just as certain individuals and groups in society are more vulnerable to crime than others, certain locations are greater targets for crime than the rest of the city. Furthermore, specific physical and social environmental characteristics of these places in relation to criminal incidents is examined.
The perspective that the environment is not a determinant of crime but rather a condition — something that encourages opportunities for crime, and sometimes reduces them, is adopted in the course . A better understanding of these conditions, can increase the chances of working more successfully with challenging public environments. In the course, more than three decades of theories on crime and environments is critically reviewed, as a means of building knowledge to create more informed actions during the planning of safe environments.