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The purpose of this study is to evaluate built environment experts’ perception of factors affecting the building security cost for sustainable development. It examines the effects of building characteristics and protective measures on the cost of building security within the built environment.

The study uses a quantitative research technique, using questionnaires to source relevant information from respondents. Of the 333 questionnaires administered, 293 usable responses were returned, giving an 88 per cent response rate. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is used to examine the suitability of these data for factor analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) is used to extract the factors.

Components 1, 2 and 3 reflect concern for procurement of security devices, design process of security requirements and safety of life and property and fear of crime, respectively. The communalities represented by R2 are relatively strong across the variables. Aesthetics is significant with an R2 value of 0.71, which shows that this factor should be given due consideration when procuring building security devices. Also, height, location and use of building are significant with R2 values of 0.70, 0.63 and 0.71, respectively. These factors positively influence the building security cost and should be given due consideration when designing protective buildings.

The findings would assist in the evaluation, planning and control of the rising cost of building security.

This study serves to sensitize built environment experts, criminologists and policymakers of the design implication of protective requirements of building security.

This study provides empirical evidence that the various factors considered have an effect on the building security cost and contribute immensely towards sustainable the building security cost within the built environment.