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Discussion on High Residential Walls and their Implications on Safety from Crime

Discussion on High Residential Walls and their Implications on Safety from Crime

Since the transition to democracy, with its accompanying increase in the fear of crime and the increase in crime statistics, suburb dwellers in South Africa have built higher walls as a means of defence.

There’s no denying it, solid, high walls have now become a part of the accepted landscape of our suburbs. The idea of living without walls seems to be inconceivable. Yet, it remains unclear if solid, high walls actually do offer us the protection that we need?

The Urban Futures Centre (UFC) at DUT has joined hands with Blue Security, ADT Security and the South African Police Services in trying to find answers to the relationship between walls and security. Discussions have also been held about what an ‘ideal safe house’ would be.

Out of these discussions, Doung Jahangeer, architect from Dala: artarchitecture for social change is formulating a visual narrative of images, videos – and eventually, architectural drawings – that would lend to the design of an architecture that is not founded on fear, but rather on safety.

Professor Monique Marks, Research Professor within DUT’s Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, who is also a Criminologist, said the public discussion aims to get the general public talking about the value of walls which currently characterise the country’s suburbs. “Walls have become a feature of the suburban South African landscape. They are generally designed and built to keep out intruders and to create added security.

However, whether or not this is achieved is up for debate. There is evidence to suggest that walls may in fact make us less secure rather than more secure. Given that most suburban dwellers dream about living in suburbs that are free from high walls and ever creeping securitisation, it is worthwhile trying to imagine whether we could create a city without high physical walls. All of this said, walls on their own do not prevent or invite crime.

There are other contributing factors that have to be accounted for. These too will be discussed and deliberated at the seminar,” said Prof Marks.
Various designs and technology options for enhancing home security will also be discussed at the seminar.

Presenters at the event are as follows:

– Professor Monique Marks, Criminologist and Research Professor within DUT’s Engineering and the Built Environment Faculty
– Chris Overall, Safer Cities Department at the eThekwini Municipality
– Martin Kriel, East Coast Managing Director: ADT Security.
– Brian Jackson, Operations Manager: Blue Security.
– Doung Jahangeer, Architect: Dala: artarchitecture for social change

The event will take place as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 28 October 2014
Time: 17h00 to 19h00
Venue: Engineering and the Built Environment Faculty Boardroom, Steve Biko Campus, Gate 2, S Block (S4), Level 3

Please RSVP by Wednesday, 22 October 2014, to pruthvia@dut.ac.za or call 031 373 2100.

-Sinegugu Ndlovu

Pictured: An example of a high brick wall erected around a residential property for privacy and safety reasons.

Picture sourced from www.property24.com

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