Privacy v Security
As with most businesses (and households), security is normally more important than privacy but a balance between the two can be achieved with the right landscaping.
Landscaping items such as transparent fences, low growing planting, thorny bushes and lighting can all be used to create attractive spaces yet minimising hiding places for prospective criminals. An effective design will also help to guide people around a building, clearly identifying public spaces from private ones.
Consideration needs to be given to security and non-security lighting and their effect on deterrence, detection, and delay. Lighting should:
- Provide appropriate lighting for paths, entrances, streets, and communal areas.
- Increase visibility of pedestrians, vehicles, and other structures.
- Provide illumination to allow for night-time vision. Consider where lighting must be located to allow all parties adequate vision to reduce risks involved with walking at night and reduce the risk of trip-and-fall accidents.
- Minimise glare, light pollution, and light trespass. Provide light transition zones so that eyes can adjust to darkness or bright lighting when walking in or out of buildings.
Designing structures, infrastructure, particularly in public spaces will promote a safe environment and reduce the opportunity for illegal activity. Consideration should be given to:
- Transparent fences that establish a boundary without obscuring the view or limiting surveillance.
- Living walls or wall coverings to deter vandalism.
- The size, type and density of plants at maturity. (Large trees or shrubs may conceal an intruder or provide a way in if too close to a window or entrance).
- Keeping planting low around windows and away from building entrances for unobstructed views.
- Thorny shrubs may be used to deter illegitimate activity.
- Landscape features and furniture should not be a way to hide offenders or assist in gaining access to a property.
- Hard landscaping should be vandal resistant. No stones/gravel that can be used as a weapon.
- Tree canopies should be trimmed to approximately 2-3 metres to reduce shadows and not interfere with security lighting.
