Whose safety are we planning? A queer-feminist approach to safety design in the built urban environment

By Josephine Goutrié

Abstract
This research develops an approach to mapping perceived safety, that is informed by queer-feminist thought and a collaborative approach to safety. The aim is the critical re-thinking of an established urban safety theory, namely Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) through queer-feminist perspectives. This theoretical part of the thesis is complemented by an empirical part, in which go-along interviews and a focus group discussion, using sketch mapping, are conducted, bringing in the perspectives of differently marginalized voices. The case study for the empirical work is Wageningen, a small Dutch town. The results of the theoretical part establish how a shift in focus from control and othering towards care and community enables us to re-think safety and how this can manifest itself in the urban built environment. Complemented with the empirical work, the findings show how community-related and diversity-fostering elements are essential for safety, e.g. mixed-use areas, the creation of cozy spaces, community centres, but also non-physical elements such as educational programs addressing diversity, discrimination and privilege. This research also highlights how the experience of safety and unsafety is related to the backgrounds of people and societal structures. These results are relevant for example when mapping safer areas in the city. A map indicating safer areas could accommodate different people’s needs with respect to safety by having interactive features, that allow to toggle different characteristics relevant to the respective user. Further research could explore case studies in different contexts and more diverse marginalized perspectives.