A&DS Chief Executive Sebastian Tombs has taken part in a ‘Safer Communities’ conference held today in Edinburgh. The conference was attended by representatives of a variety of professions including social and housing workers, lawyers, placemakers and the police.

In his presentation for the conference Sebastian outlined that placemaking and place management are key factors in public safety. He delved into the Scottish Government’s PAN 77 ‘Designing Safer Places’ and explained the recently reviewed criteria that it sets out.

Sebastian highlighted the value of natural surveillance, care in defining public, semi-public and private spaces, attention to pedestrian routes and lighting, maintenance and management. He explained that all play of these factors play their part; adding up to what Sebastian described as ‘the body language’ of the place.

He illustrated these points by showing local examples of successful places as well as spaces and streets which were less welcoming.