Defensible Space relies on self-hel

Defensible Space relies on self-help rather than on government intervention,
and so it is not vulnerable to government’s withdrawal of support.
It depends on resident involvement to reduce crime and remove the presence
of criminals. It has the ability to bring people of different incomes
and race together in a mutually beneficial union. For low-income people,
Defensible Space can provide an introduction to the benefits of mainstream
life and an opportunity to see how their own actions can better
the world around them and lead to upward mobility.
Over the past 25 years, our institute has been using Defensible Space
technology to enable residents to take control of their neighborhoods, to
reduce crime, and to stimulate private reinvestment. We have been able
to do this while maintaining racial and economic integration. The process
has also produced inexpensive ways to create housing for the poor,
often without government assistance. In this chapter, I will briefly
explain the origins and principles of Defensible Space and introduce
the reader to the results of our various research projects