Vandalism in city and urban parks : [dissertation, Diploma in Parks and Recreation, Lincoln College]

Abstract

The Oxford English Dictionary in 1663 defines the word 'vandalism' as a wilful ignorant destroyer of anything beautiful, venerable or worthy of preservation. What is vandalism? Vandalism is destroying or defacing someone else's property. Vandalism is a philosophical statement, it is a sociological problem. At best, the designer can only facilitate this type of activity or ignore it. The designer cannot prevent sociological vandalism. When it is stopped in one place it usually appears in another. This dissertation looks at what is vandalism, who causes it and why. It also suggests how to cope, what to do, prevenative planning, education for future generations, law enforcement and concluding with some philosophical thoughts.