Analysing the conglomeration of various urban pockets through the lens of environmental design for crime prevention: A case of Kolkata

Historically, the built fabric of Kolkata had a dynamic morphological influence. The influences transfigured from the rulers; nawabs to British capitalism; zamindaris to political sweepstakes. This dynamism is not idiosyncratic and can essentially be distinctive upon closer inspection of the morphological carpet of Kolkata. Upon inspection it becomes evident how, from the very beginning, crime prevention was catered through the built fabric, irrespective of changes in architectural styles over time. Thus, be it central/north Kolkata or suburbs, the buildings would often have elevated, publicly accessible sitting platforms in front of houses, often referred to as ‘Dalan’. These ‘Dalan’s’ served multiple purposes, but most importantly catering to the four principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) guidebook. With the increasing demand, the housing market bloomed to the construction of just one particular type of building in Kolkata. This typology is, apartment; be it apartment buildings or complexes. This scenario has created a cacophony of build fabric, slowly resulting in losing the city's identity. Most importantly resulting in losing the natural security systems of the city. Thus, to maintain the natural security system, addressing the discombobulated policy, planning and political juxtaposition, is a subject on its own. However, denominating simple measures, towards the problem that can bring out the desired outcome, is the way forward. Measures related to case-wise urban design, planning and design interventions. The research paper aims to address the issue and provide simple implementable environmental design measures through a detailed survey in selected localities. The methodology of the research paper focuses on area-based requirement-wise intervention. These area-based selections are made across the Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA). The selection of areas would provide an opportunity to gaze across the KMA urban to the sub-urban morphological carpet. The paper's key findings are based on the areas where a major role is played by the residential morphology, i.e., areas where people can be found 24x7. This is in relation to areas with time-bound use, such as institutional areas. Upon selection, the probable solution is to have a holistic approach. An approach that would also incorporate the ‘Defensible Space Theory’ by Oscar Newman. Furthermore, the approach to solution would help create the ‘fit-all’ category. With this category, the solution can easily be acquired and thereafter implemented in urban Kolkata core to sub-urban Barrackpore. Though, the scope of the paper will be limited to KMA. However, the ‘fit-all’ category would have the potential to be implemented in other urban areas as well.