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5 Steps to Planning Safe Public Spaces

By
Amy Collett

Are you involved with a new public planning project in your community? Maybe you’re working with your city to design or redesign a popular park, or perhaps you’re developing a new coworking or maker space. These tips from News Letter Journal will walk you through everything from lighting a community space to designing with a purpose in mind.
 
Understand the Purpose
In order to design an optimal public space, you need to outline the specific purposes of the space. Maybe people will come to your space to exercise, relax outdoors, have picnics with their friends, enjoy community events, or work on creative projects.
Public spaces are also great sites for networking events. If people will be using this particular space to network for professional purposes, you’ll want to keep this in mind as you plan your design. People will want to feel relaxed and at ease. To avoid creating awkward social moments, ensure that people will have plenty of room to move while gathering - no one wants to feel cramped or cornered at a networking event.
 
Optimal Lighting
Your designs should include plenty of lighting. Adequate lighting is essential for keeping public spaces safe. This is especially true if your space includes a parking lot or garage, as drivers need bright lighting in order to see at night and in inclement weather. Pedestrians also feel much safer in well-lit parks, stairwells, and vestibules. Making sure parking structures are well lit discourages criminal activity. 
 
Accessibility
Remember, a truly safe public space needs to be accessible for people with disabilities, the elderly, and young people. This is why it’s so important to prioritize accessibility in your design. EmagiSpace recommends adding curb cuts to any sidewalks and entryways, attaching accessible hardware to doors, and creating wide pathways that can easily accommodate those with mobility aids. Your space should also include accessible public bathrooms.
 
Layout and Pathways
Depending on the type of space you’re designing, you might need to plan out hallways, general walkways, or physical trails that function as pathways. Make sure that your walkways have plenty of space so that people are not jostling together. It’s a good idea to add multiple exits and entrances to your space, as well as several pathways that people can take to access these openings - this is safer than including only a single entryway, as it means people can still exit even if one walkway or entryway is blocked. It’s also important to ensure that your walkways will be cleaned and cleared regularly.
 
Security
Today, most people feel safer in public spaces when they know that there are security devices in the area. But with so many different security tools available, which ones should you choose for your community space? While your choices will likely depend on your budget, Police1 recommends placing aesthetically pleasing barriers such as heavy potted plants in front of parks or buildings and installing multiple security cameras in front of areas with high foot traffic. Ultimately, the security tools you need will depend on the purpose of your space, its location, and the security issues that are most likely to pop up.
Community spaces give people the chance to gather for different purposes, from networking to working out. With safe lighting, security tools, and accessible features, you can create a community space that is truly welcoming to all. By incorporating these recommendations into your design, you can keep everyone safe.

 

 

Amy Collett is the creator of Bizwell.org, a website that helps professionals and entrepreneurs build and strengthen their personal brand. She is also the author of the upcoming book, "You, Exemplified: The Role of Personal Branding in Your Professional Life." When she’s not busy with helping her clients she enjoys coaching her daughter’s soccer team and is training to become a yoga instructor.

 

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