A framework for identifying safe public spaces: SAFOMETER- an index for evaluating safety
Session
Architecture and Spatial Planning
Description
The right to a safe environment is a basic human right. Cities of today should consider all the possible threats that inhabitants can face in their daily lives and try to offer better surroundings. A good planning strategy addresses and emphasizes a safe environment in which we live, especially in public spaces.
The first step into offering safer and better public spaces is conceptualizing a framework that would objectively assess and give us information as to which space is more or less safe than the others within one city.
While many researchers consider a set of general indicators for evaluating safety in public spaces, Safometer as a framework uses an index-based evaluation method by applying different safety indicators to come up with an aggregate value of how safe a public space is.
The indicators considered for the framework are grouped into two main categories: physical safe environment and psychological/emotional safety. The first consists of measuring indicators like urban fabric (street lighting, surveillance), accessibility (proximity to services/public buildings, proximity to streets with lighting, height of surrounding buildings), visual permeability, and attendance/natural surveillance. While the second focuses on subjective indicators like theft, harassment, positive vibe, diversity, safety to express personal identity, and physical hazard.
This paper aims to offer a tool for analyzing and evaluating one of the essential elements of the cities' everyday experience, which is safety in public spaces, and serve as an instrument to enhance the experience of the citizens in their city and provide evidence-based information for policymakers.
Keywords:
Safety, Safometer, Public Spaces, Framework, Index
Proceedings Editor
Edmond Hajrizi
ISBN
978-9951-550-47-5
Location
UBT Kampus, Lipjan
Start Date
30-10-2021 12:00 AM
End Date
30-10-2021 12:00 AM
DOI
10.33107/ubt-ic.2021.33
Recommended Citation
Neziri, Gresa; Çapriqi, Donika; and Gonxha, Venera, "A framework for identifying safe public spaces: SAFOMETER- an index for evaluating safety" (2021). UBT International Conference. 219.
https://knowledgecenter.ubt-uni.net/conference/2021UBTIC/all-events/219
A framework for identifying safe public spaces: SAFOMETER- an index for evaluating safety
UBT Kampus, Lipjan
The right to a safe environment is a basic human right. Cities of today should consider all the possible threats that inhabitants can face in their daily lives and try to offer better surroundings. A good planning strategy addresses and emphasizes a safe environment in which we live, especially in public spaces.
The first step into offering safer and better public spaces is conceptualizing a framework that would objectively assess and give us information as to which space is more or less safe than the others within one city.
While many researchers consider a set of general indicators for evaluating safety in public spaces, Safometer as a framework uses an index-based evaluation method by applying different safety indicators to come up with an aggregate value of how safe a public space is.
The indicators considered for the framework are grouped into two main categories: physical safe environment and psychological/emotional safety. The first consists of measuring indicators like urban fabric (street lighting, surveillance), accessibility (proximity to services/public buildings, proximity to streets with lighting, height of surrounding buildings), visual permeability, and attendance/natural surveillance. While the second focuses on subjective indicators like theft, harassment, positive vibe, diversity, safety to express personal identity, and physical hazard.
This paper aims to offer a tool for analyzing and evaluating one of the essential elements of the cities' everyday experience, which is safety in public spaces, and serve as an instrument to enhance the experience of the citizens in their city and provide evidence-based information for policymakers.