Journal
HEALTH & PLACE
Volume 16, Issue 6, Pages 1156-1165Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2010.07.007
Keywords
Fear; Crime; Walking; Built environment; Collective efficacy
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This study explored the relationship between neighbourhood design and residents' fear of crime in new suburban housing developments. Self-report and objective data were collected as part of the RESIDential Environments (RESIDE) Project. A neighbourhood form index based on the planning and land-use characteristics that draw people into public space, facilitate pedestrian movement and ensure the presence of 'territorial guardians' was developed for each participant (n=1059) from objective environmental data. With each additional index attribute, the odds of being fearful reduced (trend test p value=0.001), and this persisted even after progressive adjustment for demographics, victimisation, collective efficacy and perceived problems. The findings support the notion that a more walkable neighbourhood is also a place, where residents feel safer, and provides further evidence endorsing a shift away from low density, curvilinear suburban developments towards more walkable communities with access to shops, parks and transit. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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