Abstract
Being the important space of public activity in cities with a complex functional composition and highly frequent mobility, the high-density urban areas are prone to be exposed to high crime risks. According to the theory of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED), the quality of public space impacts crime rates. The high-density city of Singapore was taken as a case study area to interpret the spatial distribution characteristics of crime incidents via the correlation analysis of crime density by NPC (Neighborhood Police Center) with the physical and social indicators of space. Several typical crime spaces were analyzed for further empirical studies to tentatively reveal the relationship between space design features and crimes. This research showed that the crime hot areas are closely associated with building density, road network configuration and average income by zone. The high integration and homogeneity of space tend to create spatial motivation for criminals’ potentials. Based on mentioned results and the CPTED theory, the spatial optimization strategies of high-density urban areas from the perspective of crime prevention are proposed in terms of the spatial pattern of building clusters, road network pattern, compacted urban function, node design, post monitoring and regulation.
