Lindgren, Therese
- Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
Safety in green spaces was examined within residential areas with multi-family housing in Swedish towns. The focus was on a specific type of space in order to identify elements important for the feeling of safety in that realm. The method used was qualitative interviews with residents and housing company staff. Housing staff and residents emphasised good lighting and low vegetation as important elements for feeling safe. Another key element raised by residents was knowing and recognising people in the area and being able to place them in appropriate contexts. Low shrubs and lighting improved the view. Visibility had a close connection to viewing other people and distinguishing between desirable and undesirable people, a classification aided by knowledge about residents in the area. The three elements lighting, cut shrubs and knowledge about neighbours are all contextualised and given meaning here in a broader understanding of how safety is experienced.
Keywords
Safety; residential area; fear; safety measures; interview; green spaces
Published in
Tijdschrift voor economische en sociale geografie
2012, volume: 103, number: 2, pages: 196-208
Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL
SLU Authors
Global goals (SDG)
SDG11 Sustainable cities and communities
UKÄ Subject classification
Human Geography
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9663.2011.00679.x
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/45727