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,...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
An increase cases on youth crime have been the centre of attention on the news lately and more policies are being implemented to stop this increase on juvenile delinquency. This thesis uses a...Show moreAn increase cases on youth crime have been the centre of attention on the news lately and more policies are being implemented to stop this increase on juvenile delinquency. This thesis uses a photograph-based survey experiment to measure how perceived safety depending on skin colour (brown vs. white) and clothing (hoodie vs. casual) affects policy and initiative support to combat juvenile delinquency. From the obtained data it can be concluded that participants feel least safe encountering a white boy in casual clothes and a brown boy in a hoodie. Moreover, policy and initiative support does not increase as participants feel less safe. Almost all participants support most policies and/or initiatives presented. The Knife Ban Policy receives the most support and the Gathering Ban Policy receives the least support.Show less
Cities have grown rapidly in recent decades. Several studies have related multiple mental and physical health issues with urban density and perceived safety, related to the increasing urbanization....Show moreCities have grown rapidly in recent decades. Several studies have related multiple mental and physical health issues with urban density and perceived safety, related to the increasing urbanization. Studies have established a relationship with urban density and perceived safety with light physical activity as well. However, few researchers to date have specifically focused on the potential association between both factors and regular physical exercise. The current study examined the association of urban density and perceived safety with the quantity and quality of exercise. A population-representative sample (N=124) was surveyed on their quantity of exercise, quality of exercise, experiences regarding urban density, and perceived safety. All four factors were compared to assess relations between the measures. Furthermore, various demographic and density-related subgroups (gender, residency type, and square living space) were selected to assess differences and alternative explanations. Results found associations between all measures, apart from the relation between the quantity of exercise and urban density. Regarding the subgroups, a difference was found between genders and their perceived safety; men felt safer than women. The difference in perceived safety suggested that gender could be a factor related to the quantity and quality of exercise. No differences in urban density, exercise quantity, or quality were found among both residency types and square living spaces; suggesting that both subgroups are not likely to be relevant for the associations of urban density and safety with exercise. More focus should be put on specific measures of the urban environment instead of the home environment. Given the increasing urbanization, more specific research is necessary to better understand the relation between urban density, perceived safety, and regular exercise.Show less
