The Effect of Tree Cover on Perceived Safety in Neighbourhoods of The Hague

Many cities are opting to implement urban nature into their cities with the ambition of becoming more sustainable. The implementation of urban nature into urban design comes with many benefits, such as improving air quality, improve water quality, and reducing the urban heat island effect. However, it is unclear whether the implementation of urban nature affects the sense of safety for individuals in the city. Some studies argue that increased urban nature reduces the sense of safety, while other studies argue that it increases the sense of safety. Urban planners must understand how urban nature may influence the perceived safety of their city. This study is based on a previous study done in Oslo that investigated how urban tree cover affects the perceived safety of individuals in Oslo. The same study suggested that future studies should focus on other European cities. Following this previous research, the paper aims to investigate whether the presence of tree cover affects the...Show moreMany cities are opting to implement urban nature into their cities with the ambition of becoming more sustainable. The implementation of urban nature into urban design comes with many benefits, such as improving air quality, improve water quality, and reducing the urban heat island effect. However, it is unclear whether the implementation of urban nature affects the sense of safety for individuals in the city. Some studies argue that increased urban nature reduces the sense of safety, while other studies argue that it increases the sense of safety. Urban planners must understand how urban nature may influence the perceived safety of their city. This study is based on a previous study done in Oslo that investigated how urban tree cover affects the perceived safety of individuals in Oslo. The same study suggested that future studies should focus on other European cities. Following this previous research, the paper aims to investigate whether the presence of tree cover affects the perceived safety of neighbourhoods in The Hague. The paper uses secondary data collected by governmental agencies to determine whether there is a correlation between tree cover and perceived safety in The Hague. The results show that there is a moderate correlation between tree cover and perceived safety, also after controlling for confounding variables such as social cohesion and neighbourhood deprivation index.Show less

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The Effect of Tree Cover on Perceived Safety in Neighbourhoods of The Hague