I love walking in green suburbs abounding in trees – all the sidewalks are neatly mowed, while shrubs are peeking over high walls with the promise of a paradise on the other side. On the other hand, an overgrown and unkept open stand makes me uncomfortable and urges me to walk by quickly.

These opposite reaction made me wonder about the relation between green spaces (or the lack thereof) and crime, because it would seem that green spaces have a positive impact on crime prevention, while overgrown spaces may lead to higher crime.

Prof. Gregory Breetzke of the University of Pretoria’s Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology asked the same question. He therefore joined a team of researchers to investigate the effect of urban green spaces on crime figures in South Africa. The study found that violent crime decreased with 1,2% for every 1% increase in total green spaces, and property crime with 1,3%.

Overgrown spaces can create an environment that is perceived as more unsafe, which can in turn contribute to an increase in certain types of crime. Overgrown areas can provide cover or shelter to criminals, which may increase unobserved illegal behaviour, for example vandalism and drug abuse.

Overgrown spaces can also create a perception of decreased surveillance. This perception can contribute to an environment in which criminal activities are more prevalent. Neglected or overgrown spaces can also contribute to a feeling of disorder and deterioration in a community, which can increase fear of crime among residents and even lead to a self-strengthening cycle of increasing crime. This phenomenon is observed by many AfriForum neighbourhood watches and branches, who have to remove illegal squatters from overgrown spaces, deforest certain spaces and even remove exotic trees in a bid to keep criminals from sheltering there.

But before we lose hope, let’s look at the green lining of this matter.

Oscar Newman explained the concept of “defensible spaces” already in 1972. This concept, which comprises elements of a theory of crimes as well as a set of urban design principles, became popular in the 1970s as urban crime started to increasingly rear its head. These design concepts have also been implemented in many communities in the United States and across the world. Newman stated that a defensible space is a model that can combat crime in residential areas.

He observed that many public spaces in housing projects were affected by crime, were vandalised or were filthy, while private spaces were better maintained. He argued that it was possible to design a space in such a way that crime levels would decrease and that the behaviours of residents as well as potential trespassers would be influenced – which could therefore lead to less crime.

Newman also argued that it was possible to design suburbs in such a way that residents could survey these areas better. It was also possible to create designs that would discourage and deter potential criminals. There are five key concepts in his design theory: territoriality, natural surveillance, image, milieu safe adjoining areas. It comes down to residents taking ownership of an area when this area is well maintained – in this way surveying it.

A green space can therefor help prevent crime through environmental design. Environmental design emphasises the importance of creating spaces that discourage criminal activities and improve safety. Green spaces that are well lit, visible and easily accessible can deter criminals. Green spaces improve social interaction and community involvement, which leads to improved social cohesion and causes stronger community bonds and increased surveillance by residents to serve as deterrent for criminal activities.

Frances E. Kuo also undertook a study and found that residents who lived in “greener” also reported lower levels of fear, as well as less aggressive and violent behaviour. The greener a building’s environment, the fewer the crimes that are reported.

There are also a number of studies that confirm that a feeling of ownership and responsibility can be promoted by involving the community in the planning and maintenance of green spaces. Community involvement can lead to increased vigilance. Every year, AfriForum devotes a whole month to planting trees, while involving the community in this project. The AfriForum branch in Swellendam planted yellowwoods (Podocarpus species) and false olives (Buddleja saligna) at the Swellendam Hospital en Huis AA Tomlinsen.

The annual arbour month project overlaps with the National Arbour Week to inform the public of the importance of trees and to encourage them to plant indigenous trees. With every tree that every branch plants during this month, the environment becomes greener and therefore safer. AfriForum’s countrywide branches also regularly maintain their community spaces by mowing the lawn or pruning overgrown vegetation.

I believe that every tree that is planted, every shrub that is removed by community volunteers and every open field that is mowed help to curb crime – and even eliminate it in some areas. I therefor encourage you to take a moment to look around you and decide for yourself how these two opposite environments affect you.

Zel-Marí Gelderblom is the Coordinator for Content and Media Relations at AfriForum. Sy holds a master’s degree (cum laude) in gender politics from the Nelson Mandela University.