Final answer:
The architectural approach that emphasizes passive features to reduce criminal activity is known as CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). It includes design strategies such as natural surveillance and territorial reinforcement, and is related to broader movements such as sustainable and minimalist architecture, which focus on creating safer, functional, and environmentally friendly spaces.
Step-by-step explanation:
The architectural approach referred to in the question is known as CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design), which is a method of designing buildings and spaces to reduce the likelihood of criminal activity by employing passive features. This approach includes elements such as natural surveillance, territorial reinforcement, and access control. For instance, the design of courtyard houses creates a communal central space that is naturally monitored by the residents, thereby increasing safety without the need for active security measures. Moreover, the use of sustainable architecture also aims to reduce environmental impacts through energy-efficient systems and sustainable materials, reflecting the broader goals of maintaining safe and healthy communities.
Minimalist architecture, popularized in the late 1980s, emphasizes the use of simple forms and spaces to convey a sense of order and essential quality. Its focus on light, form, material, space, and location contributes to buildings that are more open and, potentially, more surveillable, aiding in crime prevention as well. Lastly, affluent neighborhoods sometimes utilize measures such as gates and guards, as mentioned by geographer Mike Davis in terms of "the militarization of space", which can create exclusive, but also potentially safer, environments.