Contributions of human and environmental factors to concerns of personal safety and crime in urban parks

Abstract

Human and environmental fear-evoking factors discourage park visitation and degrade recreational experience and enjoyment. Planners and managers have often ignored these critical issues. We conducted a questionnaire survey of 872 park users in eight urban parks in Hong Kong, representing different design, size, and socio-demographic and physical characteristics of the neighborhoods. Perception of personal safety and related park traits were examined. Landscape design and management were the most influential factors in inducing fearful feelings. Visitor-related concerns were more important than inherent park characteristics. The identified causative factors could contribute to crime prevention through environmental design to inventory safe and unsafe features in parks and develop targeted alternatives and solutions.