Public perception of CPTED maintenance strategies: a VR study on residential burglary prevention

This study examines how CPTED maintenance strategies affect public perceptions of burglary vulnerability in detached housing. Unlike designer-focused CPTED approaches, maintenance relies on active resident participation. Using Virtual Reality (VR) simulation, 32 participants evaluated 10 scenarios: two baseline conditions (architecturally vulnerable/resistant houses) and eight with maintenance variables (deterrence/facilitation). While architectural factors showed consistent influence on vulnerability perceptions, maintenance variables produced varied effects. Occupancy presence indicators (lights inside, parked car inside, accumulated newspapers/mail) and visibility from neighbors demonstrated strong effects. However, parked car outside and yard trash showed unexpected results, suggesting context-dependent effectiveness. The significant experimental results validate VR simulation as an effective tool for security strategy communication. By emphasizing user engagement and evidence-based maintenance behaviors, this study provides practical insights for sustainable burglary prevention efforts.