Case Studies
Designing out crime on the Burdett Estate
When the Burdett Estate transferred to Poplar HARCA the area was renowned for high levels of crime and anti social behaviour. In an attempt to curve these trends Poplar HARCA engaged with a number of different consultants and developers together with local residents in an attempt to ‘design out crime’ as part of the redevelopments of the site.After extensive research it was decided that the entrances for the block would be redesigned. This meant that rather than there being a single entrances to each block that defensible spaces would be created by closing down long dark alley ways and creating more entrances to reach fewer properties. Research had shown that blocks with no ‘rat runs’, or entrances reaching fewer than six properties had less problems with crime and anti social behaviour than those reaching many properties.
This scheme also allowed for the Estate to achieve ‘Secured by Design’ accreditation on all new build and appropriate refurbishment schemes. Residents were in fully support of the schemes and planned every step of the design with builders.
The redevelopments were a success and crime on the Burdett Estate fell dramatically.
