Designing Urban Spaces with Safety and Sustainability

Security Tech Talk

In this episode, Leigh Harper (Associate Director for Security at Cundall), explores the link between security and sustainability in urban development. With experience across various regions, she stresses the need to integrate security measures early in master planning. Leigh discusses the importance of coordination with architects to balance aesthetics and functionality, particularly in lighting, road infrastructure, and security systems. The episode highlights using Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) to reduce crime and improve safety, while tackling environmental challenges and respecting wildlife. Leigh and Steve discuss how AI and technology can create efficient security systems that lower carbon emissions and energy use. She emphasizes strategies for recycling, aligning sustainability goals with industry standards, and ensuring security systems are user-friendly. The episode concludes by focusing on engaging end-users to enhance their experience, offering insights into integrating security and sustainability for smarter, more responsible cities.

About our guest:

Leigh Harper, Associate Director for Security at Cundall, is an expert in urban development, focusing on integrating security and sustainability. With experience in the Middle East, APAC, Europe, and the UK, Leigh stresses the importance of embedding security measures in master planning to prevent vulnerabilities. In 2024, she won the Security/Risk Manager of the Year award at the Fire & Security Matters Awards in the UK. Leigh was also nominated for the Security Industry Woman of the Year award. She advocates for innovative recycling strategies, AI in efficient security, and engaging with end users to ensure technology meets their needs, illustrating how sustainability and security can create smarter urban environments.

Connect with Leigh on LinkedIn

Chapters:

Master Planning and Security Considerations (0:00:06)

Leigh and Steve discuss the critical role of master planning in embedding security measures from the start of urban development projects, highlighting regional differences in approaches and the evolving integration of security into planning processes.

Urban Development Challenges and Solutions (0:12:16)

This chapter delves into the complexities of coordinating various urban development elements across different teams and regions, emphasizing the importance of early strategic planning and site due diligence to overcome environmental and safety challenges.

Sustainable Design and Technology Integration (0:20:33)

Exploring the intersection of sustainable design and security, this segment discusses the application of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles and the necessity of reducing carbon footprint and energy consumption in security systems.

Proactive Security Design for Sustainable Development (0:26:10)

Leigh highlights the importance of designing security systems with sustainability in mind, advocating for the recycling and repurposing of materials, and emphasizing the role of innovative technology and user-friendly interfaces in enhancing security efficiency.

Resources:

Get information on Cundall

Read more about the CPTED Association and its Integration of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles

Check out the BREEAM Technical Standards

Meet your host Steve Kenny: Steve has spent 14 years in the security sector undertaking various roles that have seen him take responsibility for key elements of mission critical, high profile projects across a number of different vertical markets. For the last several years, Steve has focused his attention on how technologies can best complement day to day operations and specifically address operational issues by supporting the A&E consultant community across Northern Europe. Steve is a committee member for ASIS International focusing on Education for the security sector and the UK technology advisor for TINYg (Terrorist Information New York group).

Connect with Steve on LinkedIn

More about Axis Communications: Axis enables a smarter and safer world by improving security, safety, operational efficiency, and business intelligence. As a network technology company and industry leader, Axis offers video surveillance, access control, intercoms, and audio solutions. These are enhanced by intelligent analytics applications and supported by high-quality training.

Axis has around 5,000 dedicated employees in over 50 countries and collaborates with technology and system integration partners worldwide to deliver customer solutions. Axis was founded in 1984, and the headquarters are in Lund, Sweden.

Find out more about Axis Communications - Innovating for a smarter, safer world

https://www.axis.com/