COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, May 09, 2022

MOTION NO. 1

MOTION: Councillor Peter Kavanagh

This County Council agrees to avoid the use of hostile architecture in the design of low walls and street furniture to tackle antisocial behaviour and agrees that, while antisocial behaviour remains a serious concern, that the correct manner to deal with such activity is through intervention, prevention and legal action.

REPORT: 

The design of the built environment does influence behaviour. Poorly designed spaces and buildings can facilitate anti-social behaviour. The design of the built environment must be informed by its context. 'Designing out crime' is a well established design approach, whereby design seeks to prevent future anti-social behaviour. Such preventative design measures are important and help to reduce the need for more formalised intervention and legal action.  Any such interventions do need to be balanced against the need to ensure universal access but must considered on a project by project basis.