The University of New Mexico (UNM) is employing a combination of architecture, landscaping, and urban planning to enhance campus safety. The institution is guided by Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), a national approach that aims to reduce crime opportunities by shaping the physical environment.
“Designation and definition are central to a university campus and its brand,” said Rosie Dudley, director of Campus Capital and Space Planning. “We want people to immediately know when they’ve arrived at UNM. Our campus character should signal, ‘welcome to the land of the Lobos.’”
CPTED’s principles, known as the “three D’s” — designation, definition, and design — are used in campus planning. The third principle emphasizes layouts and facilities that support safety and usability.
“It’s about defining critical edges, like Central Avenue and Girard Boulevard. Buildings and certain design elements reinforce that you’re on university property and entering a place for learning and community,” said Kurt Schlough, director of Facilities Design and Construction.
Planning and Facilities teams at UNM collaborate with architects to design buildings that minimize hiding spaces, ensure entrances are visible and well-lit, and place windows to allow for natural surveillance. Renovations also aim to eliminate areas that could be misused. “We also carry that practice into our renovations, trying to eliminate areas that could be misused,” Schlough added. “We’ve looked for examples where spaces could be easily improved, both inside and around buildings.”
Small markers, such as the new UNM logo sign at Central and Girard, help define campus boundaries and reinforce safety while celebrating the university’s identity.
Safety is also addressed through landscape maintenance and lighting improvements. Overgrown shrubs or dense trees can create opportunities for unwanted activity, so Facility Services staff work to keep the environment clear. Dudley explained, “Any zones that feel forgotten or unattended can attract bad behavior. Facility Services staff works to keep the campus environment clear.”
Native landscaping is being used to balance safety, sustainability, and aesthetics. “UNM is using more native plants that are visually permeable, reducing hiding spots while supporting sustainability goals,” Dudley said.
Lighting upgrades have been guided by drone surveys that identified dark spots across campus, leading to targeted improvements along areas such as Cornell Mall and the Duck Pond. “Visually attractive lighting improves safety at night without conflicting with the New Mexico Sky Protection Act,” Dudley said.
Physical security enhancements include plans for gated access to dormitory parking lots, which will feature key card access for residents and license plate readers to monitor entries and exits. “In previous years, you could just walk onto campus without realizing you had reached UNM property. These planned fences and gates are intended to create territoriality and reduce unwanted activity,” Schlough said.
The Redondo vehicle gate project is expected to be operational within two weeks.
Collaboration among various university departments—including the UNM Police Department, Facility Services, Facilities Design & Construction, Campus Capital & Space Planning, Office of Compliance, Ethics & Equal Opportunity, and Environmental Health & Safety—ensures that all new and renovated spaces meet safety standards from initial design through construction.
Recent projects reflecting these principles include the Humanities Building renovation, which features improved lighting, line-of-sight, and key card access; Duck Pond renovation with new lighting based on stakeholder feedback; demolition of the Education Building in 2023 to improve visibility; Coronado Hall landscaping aligned with CPTED principles; enhanced signage at Yale and Central entrances; and the Physics & Astronomy Interdisciplinary Science building designed with CPTED in mind.
Other ongoing initiatives involve lighting upgrades near parking lots adjacent to the new UNM Police Headquarters under construction, installation of fences around dormitory lots, and improvements along the Mesa Vista corridor.
Modern planning at UNM aims for openness and community engagement by integrating the campus with Albuquerque’s urban grid rather than turning inward as in the past. Dudley stated, “We’re opening out to the community, keeping eyes on the street, and creating spaces that are safe, welcoming and inclusive.”
Schlough added, “By creating spaces that generate activity, we ensure our campus is highly utilized, which naturally deters negative behavior. People are less likely to misuse a space that’s actively used every day by students, faculty and staff.”
Chapter Five of the Integrated Campus Plan guides much of this approach by outlining principles across architecture, landscaping, and urban planning for safer future projects. Dudley noted that safety-focused recommendations include building setbacks, outdoor activity spaces, improved visibility, and pedestrian circulation.
Partnerships with the City of Albuquerque have led to improved pedestrian and bicycle crossings along Central Avenue and University Boulevard, including a connection to the Buena Vista Bike Boulevard. Schlough said these crossings improve safety while expanding access for both the campus community and Albuquerque residents.
CPTED interventions are recognized nationally for reducing crime rates by up to 20% while fostering a sense of community. At UNM, these strategies involve architecture, landscaping, lighting, and security measures aimed at making the environment safe for everyone.
Safety considerations are integrated into every stage of campus planning—from programming through construction—with input from stakeholders such as the UNM Police Department and facilities teams. Schlough stated: “Security is one of the foremost considerations in our design process. At every phase, it’s carefully evaluated alongside other design components to ensure that new and renovated spaces meet our high safety standards.”
Recent efforts have focused on residence halls due to their 24/7 use by students. Dudley explained: “Given recent issues around our residence halls, we’re taking a very sensitive and targeted approach. We’re improving lighting, visibility, and access in ways that enhance safety without making the area feel closed off. Our goal is to ensure students feel both secure and welcomed.”
By embedding safety into its design philosophy as well as daily operations, UNM aims to provide an environment that is safe, accessible, sustainable, and inviting for all members of its community.
For more information on CPTED principles at UNM visit Crime Prevention programs.
