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. Different aspects of urban dynamics, e.g. pedestrians, bicycle riders, public transport, are an important part of city life and can therefore influence the perception of (in-)security in urban areas. 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.

Dimensions with impact on citizens security perception in urban places

Dimensions	Aspects to consider in urban planning
People	Diversity Usage patterns of an urban area and related needs of the user (including spaces); Facilitation of usage possibilities for different types of people (integrative spaces); Allowance of communication through the design of public spaces (meeting points). Marginalized people Marginalized people use public space as recreation area, and thus, they also rely on it; The usage of public space should be encouraged and supported by planning toilets, banks etc.; Creation roofed areas (sheltered installations) with no specific function. Local experts Local experts, like policeman or social workers of a public place, can easily identify and broach (social) issues of the area and therefore represent an important source of information and for urban planners; In each planning step, urban planners should involve interdisciplinary teams, consisting of planners and local experts.
Objects	Light/Lighting Public places should be designed in areas with different illumination types; In order to avoid “hot spots of fear”, the planning of main streets, parks, pedestrian underpasses, subways etc. should consider powerful lighting and clear visible areas. Visibility/overviewability and vitalization Urban planners should use more glazed materials to facilitate the visibility and an easy overview of public places; Improvement of social security by using robust and sustainable materials. Plants/maintenance of green areas Consideration of esthetic and functional aspects of green areas; Avoidance of planning green tunnels and green areas with no visibility and clear overview. Environmental pollution Environmental pollution increases the citizens perception of insecurity on public spaces. Therefore urban planners should promote longlasting and sustainable materials; Effective and user-oriented urban planning focuses also on reducing environmental pollution (e.g. waste bins, free toilets).
Dynamic elements	Good orientation/overview of public spaces Urban planning should concentrate on the overview of urban areas for the purpose of orientation; Usage of a clear guidance system for important functional areas, like subway, stations of public transports or pedestrian underpasses;. Introduction of adequate usage concepts for different mobility patterns (e.g. pedestrian, bicycle); Important target points/destinations should be visible from a longer distance. Traffic speed and circulation Introduction of adequate usage concepts for different traffic patterns (e.g. bicycle, public transports); Concentration both on functional and esthetic aspects of public spaces allow fostering the possibility of “shared space” in order to enable urban and social skills (competences). Public places as meeting points The urban planning process should provide concepts for different comfortable and “cozy” public spaces, where people living in the same urban area can spend time together, get to know each other etc.: familiar encounters in the residential area increase the subjective sense of security
Image/Identity of places	Image/Identity In this context, image means the reputation of a place; eanwhile identity is characterized by the history and usage of it. It is very important that urban planners consider these two aspects to create secure and agreeable rehabilitation of places. Diverse actions of public participation helps to integrate elements of identity and image of a public space in the urban planning process; Each step of the urban planning process should consider aspects of identity and image of urban areas.

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