Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Practice Exam

What is the secondary purpose of lighting in the CPTED model?

1. To enhance aesthetics

2. To provide security

3. To save energy

4. To guide foot traffic

The correct answer is: To provide security

In the context of the CPTED model, the primary purpose of lighting is to enhance security by increasing visibility in public spaces and reducing hiding spots for potential offenders. However, the secondary purpose of lighting also plays a critical role. While providing security is paramount, it is also essential for fostering a sense of safety among the community and promoting natural surveillance. Proper lighting can create an environment where individuals feel safer and encourage more people to use public spaces, thereby adding an element of informal surveillance. Additionally, well-lit areas can deter criminal behavior as potential offenders are less likely to act in spaces where they can be easily seen. The other options touch upon important aspects related to lighting but do not align with its secondary purpose within the CPTED framework. Enhancing aesthetics is important for the overall appeal of an area, saving energy is a contemporary concern in lighting design, and guiding foot traffic is typically considered in the context of urban planning rather than CPTED’s specific focus on crime prevention through the environmental arrangement. Thus, the connection between lighting and security stands out as a vital component within CPTED.