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Safety-centric urban engagement plan
Corresponding Author(s) : Kamil Kiełek
Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews,
Vol. 12 No. 1 (2024): January
Abstract
Research objective: The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of a Safety-Centric Urban Engagement Plan (SCUEP) that intends to improve the safety of city centres by actively involving the community. This study investigates the impact of heightened social engagement in public areas on the safety and overall welfare of individuals residing in urban metropolis centres.
Methodology: The research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis of crime rates and qualitative assessments of community perceptions before and after the implementation of SCUEP. It also includes case studies from various municipalities that have adopted similar engagement plans.
Main findings: The results show a direct correlation between heightened social participation and reduced crime rates in city centers. Improved lighting, well-maintained public spaces, and community events correlate with increased public use of city centers and a consequent reduction in crime.
Application of the study: The findings offer practical insights for urban planners, legislators, and law enforcement authorities. The significance of engaging local populations in safety measures is emphasised, indicating that successful urban involvement can result in enduring safety solutions in city centres.
Originality/Novelty of the study: The study brings a novel perspective by linking urban design and social engagement with urban safety. It introduces SCUEP as an innovative framework that integrates community-led activities, urban planning, and law enforcement strategies to foster safe and inclusive city centers.
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- Edelenbos, J., Molenveld, A., Mojanchevska, K., Enseñado, E. M., Ballinas, M. B., Esteban, A., Ruijsink, S., Igalla, M., & Tsatsou, A. (2020). Community-based initiatives in the urban realm what conditions their performance?. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 64(9), 1689-1712. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2020.1837088 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2020.1837088
- Izadifar, A., Yazdanfar, S. A., Hosseini, S. B., & Norouzian-Maleki, S. (2015). Relationship between Support of Social Activities and Fear of Crime in Iran Residential Complex. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 170, 575-585. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.01.059 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.01.059
- Kabzińska, J. (2017). Monitoring wizyjny w opinii mieszkańców Krakowa [w:] Bezpieczne miasto: w poszukiwaniu wiedzy przydatnej praktykom, Czapska, J., Mączyński, P., Struzińska, K., Wydawnictwo JAK, Kraków, s. 299.
- Lim, S. B., Yong, C. K., Malek, J. A., Jali, M. F. M., Awang, A. H., & Tahir, Z. (2020). Effectiveness of Fear and Crime Prevention Strategy for Sustainability of Safe City. Sustainability, 12(24), 10593-10593. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410593 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410593
- Mazlan, A. N., Lizan, M. H. N., Aminuddin, E., Lim, N. H. A. S., Warid, N., Mohd., A., & Mohamed, M. F. (2020). Community engagement and public awareness on safe city program based on road safety initiatives. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 476(1), 012005-012005. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/476/1/012005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/476/1/012005
- Sulaiman, A., Othman, J., Hamsan, H. H., Samah, B. A., & Alby, J. L. D. (2012). Community Development and its Influence on Community Policing. American Journal of Applied Sciences, 9(7), 968-973. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2012.968.973 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2012.968.973
- Chavis, D. M., & Wandersman, A. (1990). Sense of community in the urban environment: A catalyst for participation and community development. American Journal of Community Psychology, 18(1), 55-81. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00922689 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00922689
- Barnes, I., & Eagle, T. (2007). The Role of Community Engagement in Neighbourhood Policing. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice, 1(2), 161-172. https://doi.org/10.1093/police/pam033 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/police/pam033
- Karim, H. A., & Rashid, S. M. A. (2012). Participation in Rukun Tetangga in PKNS Flats as Human Responses to Community Safety. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 49, 310-318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.07.029 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.07.029
- Browning, C. R., & Jackson, A. L. (2013). The social ecology of public space: active streets and violent crime in urban neighborhoods. Criminology, 51(4), 1009-1043. https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9125.12026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9125.12026
- Groff, E. R. (2014). Informal Social Control and Crime Events. Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, 31(1), 90-106. https://doi.org/10.1177/1043986214552619 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1043986214552619
- Sakala, L., & Vigne, N. L. (2019). Community-driven models for safety and justice. Du Bois Review: Social Science Research on Race, 16(1), 253-266. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1742058x19000146 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742058X19000146
- Wang, J., Ma, Y., Zheng, Y., & Lyu, Z. (2020). Research on safety culture development in urban communities. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/608/1/012012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/608/1/012012
References
Edelenbos, J., Molenveld, A., Mojanchevska, K., Enseñado, E. M., Ballinas, M. B., Esteban, A., Ruijsink, S., Igalla, M., & Tsatsou, A. (2020). Community-based initiatives in the urban realm what conditions their performance?. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 64(9), 1689-1712. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2020.1837088 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2020.1837088
Izadifar, A., Yazdanfar, S. A., Hosseini, S. B., & Norouzian-Maleki, S. (2015). Relationship between Support of Social Activities and Fear of Crime in Iran Residential Complex. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 170, 575-585. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.01.059 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.01.059
Kabzińska, J. (2017). Monitoring wizyjny w opinii mieszkańców Krakowa [w:] Bezpieczne miasto: w poszukiwaniu wiedzy przydatnej praktykom, Czapska, J., Mączyński, P., Struzińska, K., Wydawnictwo JAK, Kraków, s. 299.
Lim, S. B., Yong, C. K., Malek, J. A., Jali, M. F. M., Awang, A. H., & Tahir, Z. (2020). Effectiveness of Fear and Crime Prevention Strategy for Sustainability of Safe City. Sustainability, 12(24), 10593-10593. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410593 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410593
Mazlan, A. N., Lizan, M. H. N., Aminuddin, E., Lim, N. H. A. S., Warid, N., Mohd., A., & Mohamed, M. F. (2020). Community engagement and public awareness on safe city program based on road safety initiatives. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 476(1), 012005-012005. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/476/1/012005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/476/1/012005
Sulaiman, A., Othman, J., Hamsan, H. H., Samah, B. A., & Alby, J. L. D. (2012). Community Development and its Influence on Community Policing. American Journal of Applied Sciences, 9(7), 968-973. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2012.968.973 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2012.968.973
Chavis, D. M., & Wandersman, A. (1990). Sense of community in the urban environment: A catalyst for participation and community development. American Journal of Community Psychology, 18(1), 55-81. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00922689 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00922689
Barnes, I., & Eagle, T. (2007). The Role of Community Engagement in Neighbourhood Policing. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice, 1(2), 161-172. https://doi.org/10.1093/police/pam033 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/police/pam033
Karim, H. A., & Rashid, S. M. A. (2012). Participation in Rukun Tetangga in PKNS Flats as Human Responses to Community Safety. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 49, 310-318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.07.029 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.07.029
Browning, C. R., & Jackson, A. L. (2013). The social ecology of public space: active streets and violent crime in urban neighborhoods. Criminology, 51(4), 1009-1043. https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9125.12026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9125.12026
Groff, E. R. (2014). Informal Social Control and Crime Events. Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, 31(1), 90-106. https://doi.org/10.1177/1043986214552619 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1043986214552619
Sakala, L., & Vigne, N. L. (2019). Community-driven models for safety and justice. Du Bois Review: Social Science Research on Race, 16(1), 253-266. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1742058x19000146 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742058X19000146
Wang, J., Ma, Y., Zheng, Y., & Lyu, Z. (2020). Research on safety culture development in urban communities. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/608/1/012012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/608/1/012012