7
Jun
2013
By Calvin at 11:42 GMT, 12 years ago
It’s really good to see that DOCA has launched a new website and is taking steps to reinvigorate itself over the forthcoming months. It’s currently engaged in consultation and they would love to hear from you.
Not heard of them?
Here’s what they’re about....
DOCA is a forum for the discussion of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) as it relates to the built environment. The forum aims to enhance professional practice by architects, urban planners, academics, town planners, community safety officers, academics, crime risk consultants, police officers and all people interested in design and crime. DOCA provides opportunities to look at critical accounts of what constitutes 'best' and 'worst' approaches to 'designing out crime', in both theory and practice. [I might add, they also hold excellent all day events that give members an opportunity to debate with and learn from each other]
During their consultation period DOCA is considering three main areas and would like your thoughts
- The delivery of 'Second Generation CPTED', which puts community consultation at the centre of the crime prevention through environmental design process; promoting community safety and well being. Is this a direction which DOCA should be undertaking?
- The provision of a forum for lobbying on behalf of the built environment; responding to government consultations regarding policy, legislation and/or guidance. At the present time, changes to local council and area policing budgets as well as the National Planning Policy are likely to have an impact on local communities and the people within them. During this 'change moment', DOCA would like to consider the implications and its role within this process. Any comments?
- Increasing DOCA activities. DOCA is considering returning to a more active membership model by two methods:
- By creating a peer reviewed academic journal, lead by Dr. Rachel Armitage and Dr. Lorraine Gammon. This journal would aim to offer the speakers at our forums the opportunity to publish and share their findings; to facilitate more case studies; and perhaps more importantly, to display images of precisely how to design out crime. Design is brought to life through visual interpretation before actual building; should DOCA allow its members the opportunity to share their experiences and designs visually?
- By creating a new blog, to be managed by Dr. Tim Pascoe, Chair of DOCA. The aim of the blog will be to use open, innovative methods to allow members to adopt a 'wisdom of crowds' approach when it comes to assisting members ensure their questions and responses around how to 'design out crime' are current; leveraging our collective knowledge and experience.
Membership is open to anyone with a genuine interest in Design and its impact on safer communities. Their members are from all walks of life, professions and practices; from home owners to landscape architects, from police to town planners and from architects to designers. During their re-launch, membership is free to students and professional architects, designers, planners and artists. [Actually I can’t find mention of fees for anyone and it seems you can join the forum for free now, so now seems a good time to join!]
Outside of the police service there’s only one association like this in the UK. So if you have an interest in delivering sustainable and safe built environments please become associated with DOCA and get your voice heard.
Designing out Crime Association: http://www.doca.org.uk/#
