What is the primary goal of natural access control in CPTED?

Natural access control in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) primarily focuses on limiting access to a site in order to deter criminal activity and enhance security. This strategy relies on the use of physical design elements, such as pathways, fences, landscaping, and signage, to guide people in a way that naturally directs them toward entrances and exits while discouraging unauthorized entry. By creating a clear sense of boundaries and restricting access points, natural access control helps to increase the perception of security among users of the space, making it less inviting for potential offenders.

While maximizing visibility, delineating private space, and enhancing aesthetic appeal are all important aspects of CPTED, they serve more as supportive strategies rather than the primary focus of natural access control. The essence of this approach lies in its ability to design environments that inherently manage access and movement, contributing directly to crime prevention and promoting a safer community.