News
06 March 2007
Designs for a crime-free and accessible Oxford
Oxford Brookes students are continuing to lead the way in architectural designs that work to reduce crime and make city environments more accessible for people with disabilities.
At an exhibition and awards ceremony on 28 February, city councillors and planners were invited on campus to view designs by second year students studying Architecture or Interior Architecture.
The innovative projects showed how good design can help prevent crime and cultivate a feeling of safety. Councillors, planners, and the police are considering how to take on board some of the ideas that the students presented.
This year’s Designing out crime projects looked at issues such as perceptions of safety on the Cowley road, where a survey showed that 71 per cent of females felt unsafe walking on the Cowley road at night. Another project looked at how to improve safety at the Barnes road multi-story car park in Temple Cowley, and there were several proposals for Blackbird Leys.
40 students received prizes and certificates which were presented by Superintendent James Trotman, Head of Thames Valley Police for Oxford City, Roger Hampshire, Crime Prevention Design Advisor for Thames Valley Police, and John Darvill, partner of David Bonnet Associates.
In his speech to students, Superintendent Trotman said: "It’s really important that students get involved in making safer places. Reducing crime is all of our responsibility, not just that of the police, so keep playing your part, we need people like you."
The students’ projects formed part of the architectural psychology module which looks at the relationship between people and their environment, and is taught by Professor Byron Mikellides. Roger Hampshire from Thames Valley Police has also been involved in advising the student and giving guest lectures at the University.
Through these projects, undergraduates are encouraged to embark on their own research and to consult local residents. In the process, students feel they have the chance to give something back to society.
Professor Mikellides is also a fellow of the Reinvention Centre for Undergraduate Research, a joint venture between Warwick University and Oxford Brookes University which aims to encourage research-based learning in the undergraduate curriculum. Through the Reinvention Centre, Professor Mikellides will be sharing his experience of the project and competition with other Universities in the UK.
Notes to editors:
For more information, or to obtain photos of the event, please contact Elaine Bible, Oxford Brookes Public Relations on 01865 484452.
