What is a major purpose of the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategy?

The major purpose of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is to reduce crime through better city planning. This strategy focuses on the relationship between the physical environment and the behavior of individuals in that environment. By integrating crime prevention into the design and arrangement of physical spaces, CPTED aims to reduce opportunities for criminal behavior and increase feelings of safety among residents. This approach can involve multiple facets of urban design, including natural surveillance, territorial reinforcement, and access control, all aimed at deterring crime by making it more difficult for potential offenders to commit acts without being noticed.

In contrast, while aesthetic appeal may enhance the environment or property values might be a byproduct of effective city planning, these are not the primary goals of CPTED. Promoting community surveillance practices is indeed an important principle within CPTED, but it serves as a means to achieve the overarching goal of crime reduction rather than being the sole focus in itself.