Perception of (in)security and risks

Perception of (in)security

Introduction

The general assumption of social and cultural approaches to the perception of (in)security is that phenomena such as fear of crime depend on culturally embedded meanings of risk. They are thus seen by cultural approaches more as an indicator of the collective memory of particular events as shaped by political response, media framing etc. than of citizens’ actual security beliefs/perceptions.

For example, immigrant cultures may be interpreted as the cause of social radicalization processes that mount up to threats to internal security (such as in France or the Netherlands); differently, a user security culture may be interpreted as a social firewall against IT security offences (as it is the case in Sweden). These factors also influence the perception of the criticality of infrastructure. Nevertheless, also the UN-HABITAT study concluded that “the perception of insecurity in cities depends largely upon the substantial amount and constant flow of information that urban residents receive from many sources”, and this could include the semiotics of built environment.

Perception of (in)security and its relevance to urban planning

Public perception of security with respect to built environment has a couple of practical ramifications for strategic urban planning. The importance of defining and analyzing the notion of individual security perception (as opposed to a given factual security situation) for the planning of public (urban) space has to be stressed.

It follows that planning tools aiming at increasing urban resilience should be sensitive to the social context to which they are applied. Their development and use should be based on an analysis of relevant public security cultures on both the level of government and the level of citizens. In particular, the design and use of tools should be based on citizens’ perception of insecurity, feeling of vulnerability and acceptance of technological solutions for security problems. It requires a “multicultural sensibility for planning”, which includes considering how cultures, “which prescribe members’ relations with the community, orient their actions, and, among other things, suggest how they might use formal planning processes.”.

Security enhancing urban planning

Urban planning decisions sensitive of security aspects should integrate in a broader way citizens’ perception of security in urban spaces, appreciating that this is a multidimensional process depending on various factors. The use of urban planning tools should be based on an analysis of relevant public security cultures on both the level of government and the level of citizens. In particular, the design and use of tools should be based on citizens’ perception of insecurity, feeling of vulnerability and acceptance of technological solutions for security problems. Essentially, culture and society-related parameters of urban planning include, among others, different user groups (user cultures), value conflicts and competencies of the urban planning agencies involved in the process.

Security problems accumulate in specific areas and also depend on the way public space is used. Lessons learned highlight some important urban planning elements, such as barrier-free mobility, sufficient lighting, spaces enabling communication and networking, as well as providing low-speed traffic lanes. Undisturbed access to public space and use of facilities is an important indicator of a positive assessment of personal security. Discursive strategies and related public communication measures are an important asset in reducing public disorder phenomena, while actual experiences of insecurity are often found to be rumors. Public space often has to serve multiple and often conflicting interests, politically or economically motivated, which has proven counterproductive both to the planning and everyday use. In this regard, it is important to consider the question: Security for whom? This entails the setting up of an analytical framework that allows for involving all relevant actors in the process of urban planning. Several methods are available to implement citizen participation.

Options to integrated perception in the planning process

The awareness of planning capabilities should be sharpened in the future, both to contribute to vulnerability identification as well as to strengthen resilience. Analyzing the individuals’ perception of its security can play a key role in this. For example, while the need to provide for sufficient lighting clearly shapes the planning process of urban public space, thorough analysis of the relevant users and user groups are required to better assess how lighting can contribute to heighten individual security perception and to reduce “fear” in public space. Following a participatory approach by involving citizens, the neighbourhood and prospective users in the urban planning process can impact social control and the “user experience” of the facility.

An initial checklist for requirements to identify vulnerabilities in order to enhance resilience can be derived from this, for appropriate consideration in urban planning.

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