How landscape architecture can reduce violent crimes.

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  • 13 Feb, 2018

Researchers and crime experts who investigate criminal behavior and mental patterns of offenders discovered a connection between the appearance and landscape architecture of a building or property and the probability of a crime being committed within its boundaries. Criminologist Kelly Sundberg reveals that buildings, homes and properties that look oppressive, sinister or abandoned may stimulate criminal behavior by amplifying feelings of fear among the occupants, and enhancing aggression and criminal motivation and intent in offenders. Moreover, the surroundings of such buildings make it difficult to spot a suspect and prevent him or her from committing a crime due to the lack of open spaces. Criminal experts and landscaping specialists believe that enhancing the appearance of a property or house using unique, attractive landscape elements, innovative architecture and creative decor can discourage criminal behavior and increase the sense of security and calm among law-abiding individuals.

Abandoned Properties And Oppressive External Elements May Contribute To The Perpetuation Of Crimes

Landscaping experts with extensive experience in the field noticed that well-designed, decorated homes with attractive landscaping elements, such as creative gardening, planters or water bodies, are less likely to be vandalized or to become the place of a crime. These observations are confirmed by criminal psychology experts who believe that demonstrating solid ownership by creating an attractive landscape architecture makes people who don't fit into that sort of relaxed and beautiful environment feel fearful and anxious, which may disrupt their criminal intent and make them leave the property without causing harm. The effects on the peaceful occupants of the property are dramatically different, and consist in a reduction of their fear, an enhanced sense of security and better visibility of intruders through more open spaces. Oppressive elements, such as fences, barbed wire, small windows or steel doors create apprehension and insecurity among the inhabitants and encourage offenders with criminal intent to proceed with their offenses.

Criminal Experts Recommend Replacing Oppressive Elements With Attractive, Creative Landscape Architecture

Removal of fences, a better exterior design, more open spaces with attractive elements, such as planters and water bodies, can be used to direct the traffic of individuals while providing an enhanced visibility to detect suspicious, illegal activities. Larger windows and glass walls can have the same role of providing more security while exposing the potential criminals, making them easier to observe and neutralize in case they decide to proceed with their malicious intent. Criminal experts and landscaping specialists firmly believe that many atrocious crimes in the United States could have been prevented if the property or building where they took place had a more attractive, friendly and relaxing landscape architecture. Although well-designed landscaping is easy to accomplish in the suburban areas, criminologist investigate how landscaping and improved design can be achieved in urban settings where the lack of space is a limiting factor.

Besides creating a relaxing atmosphere and a pleasant visual experience, landscape architecture has the ability to reduce criminal behavior and discourage offenses. Implementation of gardening elements, planters and water features can create a relaxed, anxiety-reducing environment while providing more security through an increased visibility. In settings where criminals are not feared and open spaces create few opportunities for suspicious behavior, violent crimes are substantially less likely to occur.

By Ralph Robinson 02 Aug, 2018
 Useful Tips for Decorating Your Pool Area
By Ralph Robinson 27 Jul, 2018
Read this article to understand the necessary step to create the outdoor lifestyle of your dreams. We have written this post as a guideline for finding a designer and knowing what elements you want in your dream design.
By 7016655074 26 Jun, 2018

Our planet earth has experienced climate change throughout it’s history. So, why are we so concerned about the climate change that is taking place now?

This is because all of the climate change cycles that the Earth went through in the past were natural and slow. Even then, the natural cycles led to large-scale migrations, drastic changes in ocean circulation and extinction of many species. The climate changes that the Earth is experiencing now are a result of human activities and are happening a lot faster than the previous ones, this is why they are causing more problems for humans and the natural world. In just the last 200 years, the level of CO2 has increased by 40%. This coupled with human- made emissions of other harmful substances has caused an increase of about 2oF (1.1oC) in average surface temperature of the earth.1 The warming of the Earth, if it continues at this pace, will lead to disastrous results for all living beings.

Going Eco-friendly is the Only Solution

The only way to protect our land and our future generations from the damages of climate change is by changing our lifestyles and making them environment friendly. While this is

1 https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/

common knowledge, most of us ignore the opportunities to make small and simple improvements in our lives and focus on macro-scale changes.

The micro-scale changes that we can make in our daily lives might seem insignificant, but in fact they can greatly enhance the condition of our environment. Eco-friendly gardening is one such change that we all can adopt to make a positive difference.

Eco-friendly Gardening

Eco-friendly gardening practices are those that are responsive to the threats posed by climate change. They include practices that reduce the emission of green house gases, the use of renewable sources of energy, and the encouragement of CO2 absorption by plants and soil.

An eco-friendly garden is a lot more self-sustaining than a traditional garden. It not only helps to reduce waste, but it also provides a natural habitat for wildlife.

Tips for Making Your Garden Eco-Friendly

Following are some simple yet useful ways to make your garden biologically diverse and environmentally friendly:

• Go Organic
An eco-friendly garden has to be organic. This means you should stop using harsh and harmful

chemicals in your garden, in all forms – herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers. The chemicals that are present in these products are extremely harmful for the environment. For example, chemical fertilizers have been found to cause phosphorus and nitrogen pollution, which is a major threat to our environment.

Organic gardening preserves the biodiversity of the soil. Some practices of organic gardening are crop rotation and nutrient replacement.

When it comes to eco-friendly gardening, you should also consider using tools and other garden materials that are not harmful to the environment. There has been a debate on the use of steel vs. wood – whichever you choose, make sure to research how it affects your surroundings.

• Learn about Companion Planting
In addition to creating diversity in your garden by planting a variety of plants, sow seeds of plants that are good for the environment and complement and help each other to grow. For example Marigolds deter insects that can harm your garden. Some plant combinations that are known to work really well are:

  • ✓  Rose and Garlic

  • ✓  Chives and Tomatoes

  • ✓  Cucumber, Dill and Radish

  • ✓  Carrots and Spring Onions

• Reuse Your Supplies
Reusing garden supplies is an excellent way to reduce waste. Plant pots, seed trays, and water cans are some of the supplies that can easily be used for years. Eco-friendly gardeners are increasingly opting for old style wooden seed trays and giving up on plastic ones.

If you need any help in making your garden eco-friendly, contact Robinson Environmental Design.

By 30 Apr, 2018

Are you looking for ways to add value to your home? If so, you've probably already considered doing a kitchen or bathroom renovation. A renovation that's often left off of the list is landscaping.

 Professional landscaping can add more value to your home than the improvements themselves cost. And, if you are thinking of selling your home, good landscaping can help your home stand out from all of the other homes on the market.

  Improve Your Home's Curb Appeal

 The first impression your house makes on a buyer can make the difference between a quick sale, and a home languishing on the market for months on end. Whether you're thinking of selling now, or think you might want to sell in the future, your home's curb appeal is crucial. Some house hunters won't even get out of the car if a property's curb appeal is subpar.

 Landscaping can dramatically improve the curb appeal of your home. Even if you aren't thinking of selling, there's something very pleasing and uplifting about having a beautiful yard or garden.

Increase Privacy in a More “Organic” Way

 For many people, privacy is a major concern. It's hard to enjoy your beautiful back yard when you know the neighbors can clearly see you.

 Many people resort to using fences and walls, which aren't always the most aesthetically pleasing solutions, to create more privacy. But creative landscaping designs can have the same effect. Well-placed trees, shrubs and plants can give you all the privacy you want. And they'll do it in a way that looks natural and serene.

Outdoor Living Space

People don't want to be confined to their homes anymore. They want to live beyond four walls, and to have all the comforts of the indoors outdoors.

A professionally done landscape can add more square footage by using hardscape to separate your yard into different, “outdoor rooms.” Adding an outdoor cooking area, outdoor dining area, and outdoor living room space can effectively add more usable square footage to your home.

Green Landscape Design

Having your landscaping professionally done can not only improve the immediate environment, it can also help you to conserve energy and save money. For example, properly placed trees can cut your heating and cooling costs by as much as 25%. Imagine being able to say that to a potential buyer.

Trees can also protect your home from wind, rain and sun exposure. As a result, your home will experience less “wear and tear,” so you won't have to spend as much on upkeep.

Flowers, shrubs and trees also protect the water supply, and decrease soil erosion. The oxygen released by plants will help to improve air quality, purifying the air and cutting down on pollution. Well-planned landscaping can even cut down on noise pollution. So, if you live in an area where noise is an issue, the right landscaping will help, something else that will appeal to potential buyers.

Homeowners are always looking for ways to add value to their homes. Good landscaping will not only increase your home's value, it will also make it more appealing to potential buyers.

Article Written by

Ralph Robinson

By 13 Feb, 2018

Some of the most unique, innovative and attractive landscapes are those that are designed to take advantage of their natural surroundings. Still, even those interested in having a sustainable garden or landscape design are sometimes a little unclear on just what is involved. There are a few aspects to creating gardens that will not only save money, but will entice the eye. After all, gardens should be places of magic and beauty, whether they in areas with an overabundance of moisture, or in dry, desert-like conditions.

Creating a Desert Look – Or Not

When many people think of xeriscaping, the first thing that comes to mind is a garden full of cactus plants. This can be a daunting (and painful!) vision for homeowners with young children or rambunctious pets. The good thing is, cactus is not a required plant for this type of landscape design, though it is a popular one because of it's ability to withstand dryness. The even better thing is, there are about 2000 species of cactus in existence today, and not all of them harbor painful spikes to hook the unwary. Some are delicate flowers, or flowing tendrils that add sustainable, low-water beauty to any garden.

A Well-Planned Irrigation System

One of the main keys to designing any landscape, but particularly one with a focus on sustainability, is irrigation system design. All plants need some water, it's just that some plants need less water than others. Those who live in areas with less moisture can find themselves saddled with huge water bills in an effort to maintain a traditional garden. Efficiently planned xeriscaped gardens, on the other hand, use low-water plants and strategic placement to help a little bit of water go a long way. This method of landscaping saves money, but it also helps sustain the environment by not wasting water and other resources.

An Amazing Variety to Choose From

People are sometimes amazed when they realize just what choices they have available in native plant, flower and grass species. A xeriscaped garden is often a garden full of surprises. A plant that may seem lowly and subdued during some seasons will suddenly burst into splendid color just when it's least expected. Or, with some other plants, they change colors and even shapes as the seasons go by… never dying off, just adapting to their surroundings. Sustainable gardens can be full of lush color and life, requiring little maintenance but producing spectacular returns.

A Partner in Beauty and Magic

Some garden owners want nothing more than to wander their gardens and enjoy its fruits. The actual care and work in the garden, they leave to someone else. Others love it most when they can dig their own hands into the dirt and feel the earth under their fingers. There is nothing wrong with either type, or something in between. A garden should be an escape, a place to revitalize, to experience the magic of the design–not a burden.

By Ralph Robinson 17 Jan, 2018
If you are brave enough to design your own landscape, here is some quick guidance. We encourage people to take a nose dive into the design process. Sometimes you never know what you are capable of. Go for it!
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