Architecture of Safety

Jane Jacobs theories on sidewalk safety remind me of "broken windows theory", a criminological theory where broken windows and other signs of vandalism promote an unsafe atmosphere and invite other vandalism.  Jacobs states that the peace is not kept by the police, but by the people, "by an intricate, almost unconscious, network of voluntary controls and standards among the people themselves, and enforced by the people themselves."

I can't help but think of a book I read in high school, "Blindness" by Jose Saramago.  An epidemic runs wild throughout the world and makes everyone blind.  The book explores the human condition and how people show their true selves once there is no one left to witness their crimes.  The social structure breaks down and crime erupts.  Similarly, Jacobs implies the same consequences with her three factors for a safe city.

What is interesting is that Jacobs claims that architecture can directly affect the safety and quality of a city.  There needs to be a distinct demarcation of public and private space, architecture must face the street to provide eyes on the street, and there must be proper distribution of shops and public places along streets to promote users on the sidewalk at all times of day.  

This shows that architecture can affect change and be more than just a visually appealing building on the city landscape.  Architecture directly affects the safety and vitality of a city.