Defensible Space is “a surrogate term for the range of mechanisms; real and symbolic barriers, strongly-defined areas of influence, and improved opportunities for surveillance; that combine to bring an environment under the control of its residents (Newman, 1973, p. 3).
There are four elements of defensible space, which act individually and in concert to assist in the creation of a safer urban environment (Newman, 1973, p. 50):
- the capacity of the physical environment to create perceived zones of territorial influence;
- the capacity of physical design to provide surveillance opportunities for residents and their agents;
- the capacity of design to influence the perception of a project's uniqueness, isolation, and stigma; and
- the influence of geographical juxtaposition with ``safe zones on the security of adjacent areas
'Defendable space' (Newman, 1973) is space which is capable of being defended
'Undefended Space' (Merry, 1981) is space which is not actively defended
'Offensible Space' (Atlas, 1991) is space which is defended by others
'Indefensible Space' (Cozens, 2001) is space which is incapable of being defended
