EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Is it safe to walk here? Design and policy responses to women's fear of victimisation in public spaces

Is it safe to walk here? Design and policy responses to women's fear of victimisation in public spaces

Introduction

"Is it safe to walk here?" gives a good illustration of the influence of spatial design and urban attractiveness on the perception of safety of women. It makes some interesting observations of the causes of the incongruity of the actual number of crimes committed and the feelings of insecurity women experience. The research paper identifies six spatial design measures to enhance women's perception of safety, complemented by four more general strategies to make people feel safer on the streets.

Description

Fear of victimisation and crime are important concerns for women in cities. Women typically report higher levels of fear than men. Women’s fear is particularly associated with specific environmental conditions and settings. In this research an overview is given of women’s fear of crime in public spaces. After a discussion of a series of facts and fallacies about women’s fear, the outcomes of fear as reflected in women’s behaviour and travel patterns are reviewed.

Empirical findings are reported from two surveys of women in neighbourhood parks and waiting at bus stops in Los Angeles, California. The report discusses design and policy responses to women’s fear of victimisation. The interrelationship between environment and crime is analysed, with suggestions for design and planning strategies to create safer public spaces.

Background information

On 18–20 November 2004, the Transportation Research Board (TRB) organised a Conference on Research on Women’s Issues in Transportation in Chicago, Illinois. As a part of the conference, a call for papers was issued. The selected papers are peer reviewed and then presented at the conference. ´Is it safe to walk here?´ is one of the selected peer reviewed papers presented at the Chicago conference.

This article was published by the TRB. The TRB is part of the National Academies, an American academic think tank (see links below).

Methodology

The research paper is based upon two surveys and literature study. The two surveys were conducted in Los Angeles, USA - one amongst women at bus stops, and one amongst women using public parks.

Conclusions

Certain planning and design interventions can help block opportunities for crime, instil feelings of safety, and thus facilitate physical activity:

general upkeep and maintenance of the physical environment has a positive impact on crime reduction
empty streets and desolate public spaces generate fear and also provide opportunities for criminal acts to go unnoticed - design can create preconditions for informal but effective control of the public environment (facilitating eyes on the street)
good lighting can reduce assaults and perceptions of fear
the land uses that line streets or surround public spaces are crucial for their safety
design of public spaces should help ease tension and fear between different groups by promoting their peaceful coexistence
planning and design of a recreational or transit facility should extend beyond the facility itself to incorporate the public environments that lead to or are closely associated with the facility
strategies and interventions that focus on enhancing safety in public spaces should be composite and synergistic - for example, environmental modifications may be complemented by educational campaigns and courses at schools

Contact info

University of California, Los Angeles
Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris (Professor of Urban Planning), tel. +1 310 206 9679

Publication date

06/02/2006

Project finished

06/02/2006

Article info
ISBN: 0309093945
ISSN: 10731652

Links

Visit the University of California Los Angeles website Visit the Transportation Research Board website Visit the National Academies webportal

Download the research paper "Is it safe to walk here?" (PDF, Eng, 165 KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Security & crime prevention

Keywords

Sense of insecurity, Crime prevention