The Four Strategies of CPTED

Guidelines For Shopping Malls

Shopping malls often provide much of the public space in suburban communities and as such can be a mixed blessing. On the one, hand they perform the important function of town center, serving as a gathering place for the community. On the other, a mall can serve as an attraction for criminal activity.

While the shopping mall continually grows in size and popularity, it also becomes a haven for abnormal users and the site of a growing number of parking lot crimes. It is now more important than ever that designers and remodelers implement CPTED principles.

• Signs should clearly mark public entrances
  
  
• Sidewalks and public areas should be clearly marked by way of special paving and/or landscaping
  
  
• Loading zones, with designated delivery hours, should be separate from public parking
  
  
• The parking garage should provide no exterior access to adjacent rooftops

• Restroom doors should be visible from main pedestrian areas and away from outside exits
  
  
• Parking areas should be well lit
  
  
• Loading areas should not create dead end alleys or blind spots
  
  
• All levels of the parking garage should be visible from the street or ground floor with high intensity lighting to minimize hiding places

• Property perimeters defined by landscaping, post and pillar fencing or gates
  
  
• Signs should clearly identify interior businesses
  
  

• Close-in parking should be available to nighttime employees
  
  
• Business associations should work together to promote shopper and business safety