Enhancing urban safety through honeycomb housing design: A quantitative analysis of crime prevention

Abstract

Honeycomb housing is a new design within the category of cluster housing that was inspired by the Prairie House concept created by Frank Lloyd Wright between 1900 and 1901. This design uses a hexagonal pattern to form clusters. It presents an alternative to traditional housing layouts, addressing problems like urban overcrowding, high crime rates, and social unrest. Therefore, this research aims to explore how the design of honeycomb housing can contribute to preventing crime and enhancing the safety of urban communities. This is done by examining aspects such as natural surveillance, controlled access, clear boundaries, upkeep, and management. The research adopts a quantitative approach, utilizing surveys completed by 168 heads of households in honeycomb housing, both owners and renters, selected through cluster sampling in Nong Chik Heights, Johor Bahru. The analysis of the data involved descriptive and inferential statistics, including means and standard deviations, frequencies and percentages, and correlation analysis. The findings indicate a positive link between the design of honeycomb housing and crime prevention in urban areas, supported by the principle of maintaining vigilance over public spaces to ensure community safety, tranquility, and protection against external threats.