Mitigating Petty Crime Through Design, Using Crime Prevention Strategies in Helsinki Metro Stations

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bachelor_Iveson_Owein_2024.pdf (2.67 MB)

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School of Arts, Design and Architecture | Bachelor's thesis
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Date

2024

Department

Major/Subject

Major of Design

Mcode

Degree programme

Bachelor's Programme in Design

Language

en

Pages

61+16

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Abstract

Over recent decades, the Nordic region has experienced a concerning upward trend in crime rates, particularly Finland, challenging its trust-based society. This study investigates the under-researched area of design-based crime prevention, focusing on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and Design Against Crime (DAC) principles in Finland. This thesis aims to explore the aforementioned crime prevention methods, contextualised within Helsinki Metro stations. The objective is to identify how crime prevention methods could reduce petty crimes and increase the personal safety of users. Additionally, it explores the challenges of implementing such design-based approaches within a trust-based society like Finland. To achieve these objectives a literature review and qualitative research approach is employed. The literature review conducted outlines the key points of trust in Finnish Nordic society and the aforementioned crime prevention methods. This is then followed by seven in-depth expert interviews. These interviews were conducted with experts in the field of the Helsinki Metro system, urban transportation, well-being architects, and expert users of the metro system. Firstly, to understand the current crime prevention methods utilised in the Helsinki metro system and then to gauge current customer satisfaction with regard to personal safety. Seven expert interviews revealed current designed crime prevention methods, (notably CPTED and DAC) current user personal safety satisfaction, and implementation challenges in the Helsinki Metro system. The study identifies an array of CPTED principles in use across Helsinki metro stations, influenced notably by phases of metro station development. Notably, the Western stations, characterised by cleaner aesthetics and modern design, in direct contrast to Eastern metro stations, perceived as outdated and poorly maintained, evoke feelings of neglect, potentially undermining safety perceptions. DAC strategies have little implementation in the Helsinki metro system. Participants advocate for improved signage and designated points of contact to enhance safety. Challenges in implementing CPTED and DAC stem from Finland's trust-based society, where overt security measures risk under-mining public trust. Limited education on crime prevention through design exacerbates the situation, necessitating independent research by professionals. Finally, financial constraints further impede implementation efforts, with resources prioritised towards societal improvement initiatives and charities. Implications of these findings are provided for those involved within the Helsinki Metro system and for crime prevention security experts in Nordic environments.

Description

Supervisor

Joseph, Antony

Thesis advisor

Sanchez, Camilo

Keywords

crime prevention, design against crime, Finland, Helsinki metro system, trust based society, petty crime

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202407145102

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[kand] Taiteiden ja suunnittelun korkeakoulu / ARTS (Open access)