#South Korea #Seoul #Seoul National University #Urban Design #Gender Safety

Understanding Gender Perceptions in Urban Parking Designs

Researchers from Seoul National University of Science and Technology have unveiled interesting insights into how gender influences perceptions of safety in urban parking spaces. This investigation, led by Assistant Professor So Yeon Park alongside a knowledgeable team, used groundbreaking virtual reality simulations to assess how architectural aspects of piloti parking areas affect men's and women's feelings of security.

The Context of Piloti Parking Spaces

In South Korea, multifamily residential buildings often function within piloti structures, which elevate buildings to create an open parking level beneath. While this design aims to enhance visibility and reduce congestion, it also poses significant safety concerns. The pilotis create areas that can potentially harbor blind spots and unclear boundaries, making them risky for pedestrians and vehicle users.

From a study conducted online, it has become evident that these particular openings can provoke unease among individuals due to the fear of crime associated with poor visibility and management. Dr. Park states: "Urban safety can be greatly influenced by the design of these spaces since criminals often exploit blind spots and ambiguous areas."

Virtual Reality Simulations: A Fresh Perspective

To deeply understand gender-specific concerns, the research team carried out VR simulation experiments involving 85 participants. A range of 28 scenarios varying in aspects such as entrance shapes, boundary outlines, and lighting conditions were created for this investigation. Participants were required to navigate through four scenarios each, responding to integrated questionnaires to share their perceptions of visibility and safety.

Dr. Park highlights that visibility appeared to significantly alleviate fears of crime for both genders. Nonetheless, the preferences between men and women diverged significantly. Men expressed a need for clear visibility without obstruction, while women expressed concern over architectural features that could obscure their immediate surroundings.

Gender-Specific Responses to Visibility

For men, any form of obstruction in their line of sight raised anxiety regarding their visibility. In contrast, women were more attuned to the potential dangers created by structural elements that could lead to blind spots. Their concerns reflect a higher awareness of immediate threats rather than an overall external view.

Women favored designs that offered partial visibility and protection, viewing transparent barriers not as obstructions but as safety measures that still allowed observations of their surroundings. Additionally, they noted a calming effect from natural features such as plant fences, which reduced feelings of crime-related anxiety.

Personal Histories Shape Fear of Crime

Individual backgrounds played a crucial role in shaping participants' anxiety levels regarding crime. For instance, while men with experience in multifamily housing often reported lower anxiety levels, women's past victimization experiences heightened their fears.

This finding points to a critical need for architects and urban planners to adopt gender-sensitive approaches in their designs to foster safer, more inclusive environments. Dr. Park emphasizes, "Design elements such as ensuring unobstructed visibility can help lower crime anxieties among men, while implementing transparent or low barriers alongside reduced blind spots can ease women’s fears and enhance overall safety."

Implications for Urban Planning

The insights garnered from this research serve as a valuable resource for urban planners globally. By adopting innovative approaches such as virtual reality in urban planning, they can create more secure environments that cater to the distinct preferences and safety concerns of all genders. The study inspires a rethinking of how urban spaces, particularly those associated with parking, can enhance everyday safety for every resident.

This research was published in the journal Frontiers of Architectural Research and represents a pivotal step towards practical, evidence-based design in urban construction and planning.

Reference

The original paper, titled "Gender disparities in perceived visibility and crime anxiety in piloti parking spaces of multifamily housing: A virtual reality study," is accessible for those desiring a deeper dive into the intricate connections between gender, safety perceptions, and architectural design.