How good design can shape behaviour.
Written by: Lisa Ham, CPTED and Senior Access Consultant
The way a space looks, feels and functions can either encourage positive community activity—or inadvertently create opportunities for crime. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a proven, evidence‑based approach that reduces crime by improving the design and management of the built environment.
Architecture & Access offers CPTED design reviews where we assess against CPTED principles early in planning and design to help organisations create safe, inclusive, and resilient places.
Why CPTED Matters for Your Next Project
Whether you’re planning a new public space, redeveloping a precinct, designing residential buildings, or preparing a masterplan, CPTED can help you:
- Reduce crime risk and anti‑social behaviour
- Increase safety and comfort for users
- Improve visibility and wayfinding
- Support positive community activity
- Reduce long‑term operational and maintenance costs
- Strengthen planning submissions with evidence‑based safety strategies
CPTED is increasingly embedded in planning expectations across Australia, including guidelines in Victoria and Queensland, as well as ISO 22341:2021 and risk management frameworks such as AS/NZS 31000:2009.
Our Capability – And Why It Matters
Architecture & Access is one of the few access and inclusive design consultancies in Australia offering a dedicated CPTED assessment service. Our approach is founded on the seven recognised CPTED principles—Activation, Surveillance, Ownership, Stakeholder Management, Legibility, Territoriality and Vulnerability.
Lisa Ham is a qualified CPTED assessor, she has completed formal CPTED training and has delivered CPTED reviews across complex urban, residential, educational, open space and health precincts. Lisa combines her CPTED expertise with deep knowledge of accessibility, universal design and user experience—ensuring each project supports a safe and inclusive community.
Our CPTED service includes:
- Site inspections and contextual analysis
- Design reviews and recommendations
- Stakeholder engagement
- Crime statistics analysis
- CPTED reports for planning approvals
- Ongoing design support and advice
CPTED in Action: Queen’s Wharf Residential Towers 5 & 6, Brisbane
Client: Destination Brisbane Consortium
Lead CPTED Assessors: Lisa Ham and Carrie Lim
Architecture & Access was engaged to undertake a CPTED review of the external public realm surrounding the two residential towers within the Queen’s Wharf precinct—a major mixed-use development that spans retail, residential, heritage buildings, public plazas and key pedestrian routes in Brisbane’s CBD.
Our Assessment Process
- Initial briefing and police engagement
We met with the Queensland Police Service to understand local crime patterns and context, including theft, parcel crime, laneway vulnerabilities and basement cage break-ins. - Desktop review
Assessment of plans, landscape design, access routes, lighting, activation patterns and existing surveillance opportunities—supported by crime statistics, CPTED design guidelines, and Queensland CPTED frameworks - CPTED assessment and reporting
Using the seven CPTED principles, we documented both positive existing measures and opportunities for improvement, then provided practical, project‑specific recommendations.
Key Positive Measures Identified
- Strong activation through retail, food and beverage, and pedestrian linkages that attract people throughout the day and into the evening
- Natural surveillance from residents, concierge desks, surrounding streets and future commercial activity
- Ramped access and clear sightlines supporting movement throughout the precinct
- Secure internal mail rooms, bike storage, and managed lobby entries
- Landscaped areas designed to maintain visibility while enhancing amenity
Recommendations for Enhanced Safety
- Improved lighting to laneways
- Strategic, vandal‑resistant finishes and fixtures to reduce maintenance and deter unwanted activity
- Expanded wayfinding signage to strengthen legibility
- Enhanced CCTV coverage to mail rooms, lobbies and basement storage areas
- Activation measures such as extended trading hours and dog-friendly amenities to encourage legitimate use and community presence
Through these measures, the development team is able to create a safer, more connected precinct that supports residents, commuters, workers and visitors.
Why Organisations Engage Us
Clients come to Architecture & Access when they want:
- A qualified CPTED specialist within a multidisciplinary access and inclusive design consultancy
- Recommendations that balance safety, usability and community experience
- Reports that strengthen planning submissions and align with government guidelines
- Practical, evidence-backed design strategies they can implement immediately
We support projects ranging from major precinct redevelopments (such as Queen’s Wharf) to hospitals, open space, recreational facilities, education campuses and local government environments.
Create Safer, More Inclusive Spaces With Confidence
If you are planning a new development, upgrading public spaces, designing high‑density residential buildings, or preparing a planning submission or development application our CPTED service can help you reduce risk and create environments where people feel safe, welcome and supported.
To discuss your project or request a CPTED review, contact Architecture & Access or info@archaccess.com.au.
