The Impact of Street Morphology on Crime in Juja Town, Kiambu County

Abstract

In the urban realm, crime is concerned with the spatial aspect that is, the morphological dimension. Juja town has experienced three types of street crime: mugging, burglary, and theft. Therefore, this paper aims to identify and analyze the street morphology of the area in relation to crime. The study employed a descriptive research design. It sampled 84 streets in Juja town, Kenya, and analyzed their character through observation methods and interviews with respondents on crime incidences. The results show a correlation between street morphology and crime. It found that street morphology explained up to 35 percent variation in crime. Further, streets characterized by single-storey and double-storey structures enclosed by physical barriers such as fences experienced mugging and theft cases. Streets characterized by high-rise structures experienced theft and break-in cases. The study recommends that urban planners employ an organic street pattern approach. Further, local authorities should encourage mixed-used developments, to promote activities on the street through different times of the day. The provision of recreational zones, within residential zones characterized by single-storey and double-storey structures, would encourage a sense of community among residents, promoting passive surveillance and alleviating the fear of crime.