What Is the Broken Windows Theory? (And Why It Matters)

What does "Broken Windows" mean?

The Broken Windows Theory is a way of thinking about crime and public space. It suggests that small signs of disorder—like broken windows, graffiti, trash, or worn-out surfaces—can make people feel that a place is unsafe.

If no one fixes these small problems, the theory argues that people will think no one is in control. That feeling can lead to more serious problems, like vandalism or crime.

The idea was first introduced in 1982 by two American researchers, James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling. They believed that a neglected environment could cause more people to break rules, because it looks like no one is watching or caring.

Why does this matter to architects and urban designers?

The theory influenced not just policing, but also how cities are designed and maintained. Urban designers, planners, and architects started thinking about how the appearance of a space could affect behavior.

In practice, this led to things like:

Adding more lighting to public spaces
Quickly painting over graffiti
Fixing broken street furniture
Designing places to look clean and well-managed
Removing benches or informal gathering spots to discourage unwanted activity

Designers started to focus on how to create a sense of order. Sometimes this helped, but sometimes it led to spaces that were clean—but lifeless.

How did this theory shape cities?

In the 1990s, the theory became very influential in New York City. It was used to support zero-tolerance policing and aggressive enforcement of small laws.

This also changed how public space was treated. Cities began targeting signs of disorder, even when they weren’t actually dangerous.

This led to:

More surveillance
Removing places to rest or gather
Treating poverty as disorder
Prioritizing visual control over social activity

As a result, some public spaces began to feel over-controlled. They looked safe, but didn’t feel inviting.

What are the problems with the theory?

Many critics have challenged the Broken Windows Theory. Here are some of the concerns:

Not all disorder is bad. Signs of life—like street art, chalk drawings, posters, or music—can make a place feel alive and human.
The theory can lead to unfair policing and targeting of certain communities.
It assumes that “clean” equals “safe,” which is not always true.
It can result in hostile or exclusionary design—spaces that look orderly but push people away.

What do other urban thinkers say?

Jane Jacobs believed that safety came from activity, not control. She wrote about the importance of having “eyes on the street”—people watching, talking, and being present.

Jan Gehl focused on small-scale, people-centered design. He showed that inviting spaces—where people walk, sit, and interact—are safer than empty, over-designed plazas.

Oscar Newman wrote about “defensible space,” but he also said that design works best when it supports community.

All three agreed: real safety comes from people being together—not from removing all signs of use.