Research on the Escape Behavior of Criminals in Closed Non-gated Communities Based on Path Simulation and Space Syntax

Studying the journey-to-crime contributes to a better understanding of the mechanisms behind crime occurrence. However, existing research has primarily focused on pre-crime travel behavior, lacking sufficient investigation into post-crime travel, specifically criminal escape behavior. This paper focuses on the escape behavior of criminals in closed non-gated communities and proposes a research methodology that combines micro-level path simulation with macro-level spatial analysis to study criminal escape behavior. The method begins by addressing the problem of limited research data through the simulation-based reconstruction of criminal escape paths. Specifically, it involves constructing an escape path selection function based on rational choice theory, quantifying the spatial environment of the community using an assignment grid map, and iteratively simulating path data using an improved ant colony algorithm on the assignment grid map. Next, the method employs spatial syntax theory to deconstruct the spatial characteristics of the community in terms of topological depth and visual integration. Finally, by integrating the criminal escape path data with the spatial characteristics of the community, the spatial logic of criminal escape behavior is explored. The study conducted an empirical research focusing on night theft cases committed by outsiders in five typical communities in Z city, and the results show that: (1) Criminals' escape distances displayed a clear distance decay characteristic, and it also shows the decay effect at both ends; (2) The unique built environment and spatial structure of the community significantly affect the criminal behavior. Communities with too many entrances and exits tend to have shorter escape distances for criminals; (3)Criminals will avoid places with high visual integration and look for more concealed spaces to escape; (4) Criminal escape behaviors conform to the rules of space topology, that is, they will choose spaces with small topological depths to escape and follow the descending path of topological depths escape. The research findings provide a reference for the planning and construction transformation of communities. For example, communities should: emphasize the layout of entrances and exits, providing convenience for residents while minimizing the number of entry and exit points; strengthen the management of areas with a moderate distance from entrances and exits, and allocate more crime prevention and control resources in this area, such as increasing security patrols; integrate landscape design with community safety considerations, such as limiting the planting of shrubs that may obstruct pedestrians' sightlines, thus increasing the visual integration of community space. © 2023 South China University of Technology. All rights reserved.