The Gender Difference in Fear of Crime: Comparing the effects of Environmental Factors in Streets of Low-rise Multi-Family Housing Area

Abstract

The streets in the low-rise multi-family housing area increase the fear of crime among residents due to the structure of the space and difficulties in maintenance. In particular, women have a higher fear of crime than men and are more sensitive to the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to study environmental factors that can lower the fear of crime in standards of women. This study analyzed the difference between the fear of crime for men and women, their crime-related attitudes, and the effect of street environmental factors on the fear of crime for men and women in low-rise multi-family housing areas. For this purpose, we identified the factors affecting the fear of crime in the streets in the low-rise multi-family housing area by analyzing previous studies. We presented various levels of street environmental factors in four categories: building, street space, lighting, and security system, and conducted a photograph-questionnaire survey. The results showed a clear difference in fear of crime and crime-related attitudes according to gender. We also found a clear difference in fear of crime perceived by men and women according to the street environmental factors of low-rise multi-family housing areas. Furthermore, we identified the lack of natural surveillance and insufficient lighting as street environmental factors that women feel higher fear of crime. Lastly, floor signage and sign boards installed for the Safe Trip Home Project for Women can reduce fear of crime for women. These findings can provide fundamental data for designing a safe urban street environment for men and women without fear of crime.