Keeping public spaces safe from criminals is a constant challenge. The UAE enjoys low rates of crime but rapid growth of the country’s big cities could threaten that.
Now the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council is moving in a sophisticated new direction to keep ahead of the problem. As The National reported yesterday, all new hotels, malls, and other open-to-the-public developments will have to comply with requirements that give safety from crime and terrorism a high priority. Existing facilities – also including schools, places of worship, transport stations, and more – will over time have to be modified as needed to meet the new standards.
It’s all in line with a spreading urban-planning concept known as “crime prevention through environmental design”, or CPTED.
The phrase was coined by a US criminologist in 1971, but the idea took some time to find support among urban planners. The basic concept is that a “built environment” can encourage crime, or discourage it. Dark backstreets, for example, are an invitation to muggers and burglars, whereas bright spaces with good sightlines naturally discourage crime. Outdoors, fences should not limit vision, shrubbery should be limited in height, lighting should be sufficient, and so on. Psychologists tell us that people behave better when they know or think they are being watched.
Many such measures are simple common sense, and also make public places more pleasing. Closely allied to CPTED is the "broken-window" theory of crime prevention: lack of maintenance can make an area seem derelict, and that greatly increases the likelihood of bad behaviour. Another key concept is that residents should take a communal interest in neighbourhood crime deterrence.
Simple crime is not the only problem that prudent planning of public spaces can help solve.
Terrorist acts and accidents such as fires, can also be nipped in the bud, or their effects can be minimised, through careful urban design.
CPTED is no panacea. Some of the academics who have studied the concept are less enthusiastic than others, though most do see value in it. Also, retrofitting existing spaces to conform to these principles can be costly.
Careful planning to deter crime is obviously worthwhile in new developments. Imposing these requirements on existing facilities may prove more difficult, but the principle is clear and deserves support.
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
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The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
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A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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