Safe Public Space Physical or Social Matter? Marjan Hajjari Social Planner at Moreland City Council PhD Candidate in Urban Design at University of Melbourne November 2013 Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

“ Poor design facilitates crime, good design will not necessarily prevent it”. ( Merry in Valentine, Gill 1990) Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

Safe Public Space Physical structure Social structure Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Social Structure

“ Social relations within a space and the group(s) who control that space socially have a greater influence on how safe women feel than does the design of the space” (Valentine, Gill 1990) Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

Social cohesion right to the city Inclusive public space Perception of Safety excluded Research project exploring young people’s perceptions Geography of Women Fear age, gender, ethnicity Safe Public Spaces for Women

Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

“ Safety for me has dropped. I don’t feel as safe as I used to in these areas…I live in a laneway as well and […] I don’t mind the kids, they hang out there and drink and smoke but they’re generally harmless. But I think there’s a bit of division. For me personally with a lot of Middle Eastern cultures it feels…and I live with my nieces who alos feel a bit like this, with a lot of these new shisha bars. They feel very predominantly male oriented and as women we don’t fell comfortable to go there” A middle-aged long-term Anglo-Australian resident in Coburg Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

“ …Muslim women [in Fawkner] have fears about their safety in the street and on public transport, particularly outside their immediate neighbourhood” Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

Justin Avenue Shopping Strip Renewal Project (Moreland City Council) An alternative approach to improve social inclusion and community safety in urban public space Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

Justin Avenue shopping strip, Glenroy Moreland City Council Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

BACKGROUND Justin Avenue Category 2 Shopping Strips, Justin Ave was targeted for the last financial year (12/13). Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

Key Issues Perceived sense of safety Experiencing high rates of violence and crime Associated drug trading/use Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

Image and sense of place: Low social connection among the residents A poor aesthetic image Key Issues Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

Key Issues Activities and economic situation High rate of shop vacancy,8 vacant shops out of 13 Medical centre Pizza Milk bar Pharmacy Justin Avenue Daley Street Built Form: 4 active shops, 9 closed shops and a medical centre Street Furniture: 3 Seats 1 Bin 3 trees Parking: 25 on-street car parks including 2 disable car park Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

Key Issues Social structure High concentration of social housing in the area Significant number of single mothers who are living in low economic condition with a high rate of domestic violence. Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

Key Issues Movement and traffic issue Inadequate public transportation with a low frequency Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

There is not any shopping strip in the walking catchment of Justin Avenue, so if it improves, it would be able to serve a large number of dwellings, Opportunities Widford Street Shopping Centre West Street Shopping Centre North Street Shopping Centre East Street Shopping Centre Glenroy Activity Centre Justin Avenue Shopping Centre Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

Opportunities The reserve in front of the shopping strip can be used to improve the liveability of the place. Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

Opportunities There is significant number of new dwellings around Justin Avenue, Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

Objectives Change the perception of the place, Improve public safety, Provide a public place for community engagement and connectivity, Encourage the social interaction and interest at the street level, Improve the physical appearance of the place, Improve the economy and business at the shopping strip, Justin Avenue Shopping Strip Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

Groups and Institutions involved in Justin Ave. Shopping Strip workshop and consultations Place Design & Strategy Economic Development Social Development, Arts and Culture, Open Space Community Wellbeing Youth & Community Development Moreland City Council Traders and Shop owners Glenroy Secondary College Merri Community Health Services Police Victoria Department of Human Services Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

The project includes four main elements: Upgrades to the external area of shopping strip Urban Design team Upgrades to the reserve Open Space team Activation of one of the vacant shops and a street party Community Wellbeing/ Economic development Art work(s) applied to some of the roller shutters in collaboration with local school students Youth services Justin Avenue Shopping Strip Project Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

Justin Avenue Shopping Strip Community Consultation Traffic Personal Safety Anti-Social Behaviour Litter Vacant Shops Appearance of the strip Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

Justin Avenue Shopping Strip Design Concept Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

Painting the roller shutters doors Moreland Youth service Glenroy Secondary school Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

Justin Avenue Street Party Moreland City Council Merry Community Health Salvation Army Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

Justin Avenue Street Party

Justin Avenue Community Engagement Program William Turner Reserve - (10 October-28 November) Glenroy library Story time for children Moreland aged and disability services Active Moreland exercise session, Seniors Lunch Glenroy neighbourhood learning centre Try social dancing, Sewing demonstration Film making workshop Public Safety Infrastructure Forum

Promote mental health awareness for young people In collaboration with Glenroy College Planting session Moreland Open space team in collaboration with Belle Vue Park Primary Playgroup Victoria Van Family relationship centre Salvation Army Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Justin Avenue Community Engagement Program William Turner Reserve - (10 October-28 November)

Public Safety Infrastructure Forum Change the place of others to place of us