Creating safer alleys : a quantitative survey of women's fear in urban landscape in Hong Kong

Abstract

Alleys are everywhere in Hong Kong but most of them are underused. Due to such underdevelopment, they often associated with negative image of being dirty and unhygienic, and are perceived as the source of crime. Its narrow enclosed space promotes high concealment and low escape opportunity that increase people’s fear of crime and violence. Women generally attain a higher level of fear of crime and violence than male in the public space. In fact, the alleys are valuable space in the downtown area where always crave for more public space. Alleys are full of potential to be developed into new social spaces and improve existing pedestrian flow in the neighborhood. However, the perception of fear in alleys hinders the interest and possibility to the development of alley. This study investigates the possibilities of revitalizing the alleys on the basis of people’s perception of safety in alley. A quantitative survey has been conducted to explore the landscape design simulations can be implemented in the alleys and can effectively reduce the fear perceived by people. A series of design scenarios with different landscape simulations were presented to the survey respondents. Afterwards, a set of design principles is generated based on the result of the survey. The design principles act as a guideline for designing a safe alley in the neighborhood. Following the principles, there are five perceived fearreducing scenarios are proposed. They all serves not only to enhance a sense of safety in alley, but also bring multi-benefits to the community.

This thesis proposed a new exploration of the use of alley through examining people’s perception of fear and initiates a discussion of gender difference in the perceived fear of alley, which are also important consideration contributing in the proposed design. I