Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Safe Public Space Physical or Social Matter? Marjan Hajjari Social Planner at Moreland City Council PhD Candidate in Urban Design at University of Melbourne November 2013 Public Safety Infrastructure Forum “ Poor design facilitates crime, good design will not necessarily prevent it”. ( Merry in Valentine, Gill 1990) Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Physical structure Safe Public Space Social structure Social Structure Public Safety Infrastructure Forum “ Social relations within a space and the group(s) who control that space socially have a greater influence on how safe women feel than does the design of the space” (Valentine, Gill 1990) Inclusive public space Geography of Women Fear Research project age, gender, ethnicity excluded Social cohesion Perception of Safety right to the city Safe Public Spaces for Women exploring young people’s perceptions Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Public Safety Infrastructure Forum “ Safety for me has dropped. I don’t feel as safe as I used to in these areas…I live in a laneway as well and […] I don’t mind the kids, they hang out there and drink and smoke but they’re generally harmless. But I think there’s a bit of division. For me personally with a lot of Middle Eastern cultures it feels…and I live with my nieces who alos feel a bit like this, with a lot of these new shisha bars. They feel very predominantly male oriented and as women we don’t fell comfortable to go there” A middle-aged long-term Anglo-Australian resident in Coburg Public Safety Infrastructure Forum “ …Muslim women [in Fawkner] have fears about their safety in the street and on public transport, particularly outside their immediate neighbourhood” https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NGYgM6u1MP7s3h2RXErZOQ Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Justin Avenue Shopping Strip Renewal Project (Moreland City Council) An alternative approach to improve social inclusion and community safety in urban public space Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Justin Avenue shopping strip, Glenroy Moreland City Council Public Safety Infrastructure Forum BACKGROUND Justin Avenue Category 2 Shopping Strips, Justin Ave was targeted for the last financial year (12/13). Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Key Issues Perceived sense of safety Experiencing high rates of violence and crime Associated drug trading/use Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Key Issues Image and sense of place: Low social connection among the residents A poor aesthetic image Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Key Issues Built Form: Activities and economic situation 4 active shops, 9 closed shops and High ratecentre of shop a medical Street Furniture: 3 Seats 1 Bin 3 trees Parking: 25 on-street car parks including 2 disable car park vacancy,8 vacant shops out of 13 Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Key Issues Social structure High concentration of social housing in the area Significant number of single mothers who are living in low economic condition with a high rate of domestic violence. Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Key Issues Movement and traffic issue Inadequate public transportation with a low frequency Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Opportunities There is not any shopping strip in the walking catchment of Justin Avenue, so if it Justin improves, Avenue it Widford Street Shopping would be Shopping able toCentre serve a large number of Centre dwellings, Glenroy Activity Centre West Street Shopping Centre North Street Shopping Centre East Street Shopping Centre Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Opportunities The reserve in front of the shopping strip can be used to improve the liveability of the place. Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Opportunities There is significant number of new dwellings around Justin Avenue, Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Justin Avenue Shopping Strip Objectives Change the perception of the place, Improve public safety, Provide a public place for community engagement and connectivity, Encourage the social interaction and interest at the street level, Improve the physical appearance of the place, Improve the economy and business at the shopping strip, Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Groups and Institutions involved in Justin Ave. Shopping Strip workshop and consultations Moreland City Council Place Design & Strategy Economic Development Social Development, Arts and Culture, Open Space Community Wellbeing Youth & Community Development Traders and Shop owners Glenroy Secondary College Merri Community Health Services Police Victoria Department of Human Services Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Justin Avenue Shopping Strip Project The project includes four main elements: Upgrades to the external area of shopping strip Urban Design team Upgrades to the reserve Open Space team Activation of one of the vacant shops and a street party Community Wellbeing/ Economic development Art work(s) applied to some of the roller shutters in collaboration with local school students Youth services Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Justin Avenue Shopping Strip Community Consultation Appearance of the strip Vacant Shops Personal Safety Litter Traffic Anti-Social Behaviour Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Justin Avenue Shopping Strip Design Concept Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Painting the roller shutters doors Moreland Youth service Glenroy Secondary school Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Justin Avenue Street Party Moreland City Council Merry Community Health Salvation Army Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Justin Avenue Street Party Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Justin Avenue Community Engagement Program William Turner Reserve- (10 October-28 November) Glenroy library Story time for children Moreland aged and disability services Active Moreland exercise session, Seniors Lunch Glenroy neighbourhood learning centre Try social dancing, Sewing demonstration Film making workshop Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Justin Avenue Community Engagement Program William Turner Reserve- (10 October-28 November) Promote mental health awareness for young people In collaboration with Glenroy College Planting session Moreland Open space team in collaboration with Belle Vue Park Primary Playgroup Victoria Van Family relationship centre Salvation Army Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Change the place of others to place of us