Checklists for dimension consideration

Checklists for dimension consideration

Introduction

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Dimensions to consider in order to enhance citizens perception of safety in urban crowded places

Various dimensions must be considered in order to enhance citizens perception of safety in urban crowded places:

Dimensions with impact on citizens security perception in urban places	Aspects to consider in urban planning
People	Diversity Usage patterns of an urban area and related needs of the user(inclusive spaces) Facilitation of usage possibilities for different types of people (integrative spaces) Allow communication through the design of public spaces (meeting points) Marginalized people Marginalized people not only use public space, they also rely on it The usage of public space should be encouraged and supported by planning toilets, banks etc. Create 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/Lightening 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 lightening and clear visible areas Clarity and vitalization Urban planners should use more glazed materials to facilitate the visibility and an easy overview of public places Improve social security by using robust and sustainable materials Plants/maintenance of green areas Consider esthetic and functional aspects of green areas Avoid 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 anti-ageing (alterungsunfähige) and sustainable materials Effective and use-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 Use a clear guidance system for important functional areas, like subway, stations of public transports or pedestrian underpasses. Introduce 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 Introduce adequate usage concepts for different traffic patterns (e.g. bicycle, public transports) Concentrate both on functional and esthetic aspects of public spaces – allow 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, meanwhile 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