SPACE SYNTAX SPATIAL ANALYSIS FOR PUBLIC HOUSINGS AND THE SENSE OF SAFETY

This study utilised the space syntax approach to examine the design of the physical environment in public housing in Malaysia to reduce the likelihood of crime. Two case studies, namely the People's Housing Program (PPR) Kampung Baru Air Panas and Public Housing Sri Kelantan, were selected in Kuala Lumpur for qualitative analysis. Three analytical aspects, namely Isovist mapping, Visibility Graph Analysis, and convex mapping, were employed using the DepthmapX software to measure the probability of crime occurrence based on the layout of the selected cases. Thus, crime likelihood was assessed in three dimensions: permeability, visual accessibility, and physical accessibility. The research findings revealed the identification of break-in zones and the factors contributing to crime occurrence based on the research outcomes. Notably, both public housing developments demonstrated a strong relationship between spatial design aspects and the sense of safety, emphasising the significance of well designed architectural spaces in ensuring security. The study's scope was limited to two public housing developments in Kuala Lumpur due to the primary focus on crime occurrence and time constraints. The employed methodology primarily served as a predictive tool; therefore, the findings may not entirely capture the complexity of reality. This study did not extensively explore other influential factors and considerations, such as pedestrian behaviour, site conditions, and demographic factors, which could also impact the probability of crime. In conclusion, the spatial network analyses conducted in this study contribute to our understanding of how space syntax can inform crime prevention in the built environment and the design of safe public housing. The findings underscore the significance of well-planned spatial layouts in public housing for promoting the safety and well-being of occupants. Future studies can further explore the application of spatial network analyses in architectural design to create secure living environments. Additionally, developing a safety index utilising space syntax could be a fruitful area of investigation in future research endeavours.