Where do women choose to walk? Female safety in public spaces

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/2236-9996.2024-6017

Keywords:

safety, woman, walking, questionnaire, walking interviews

Abstract

Women tend to regulate their activities and limit the use of public spaces to certain times of the day due to the perception of unsafety that acts as an integral part of their daily life. The objective of the research was to investigate objective and subjective factors related to walking from the perspective of female safety, through a case study conducted in the city of Londrina, State of Paraná. The tactics addressed were questionnaires and walking interviews to understand the socio-spatial factors that influence the choice and those that inhibit walking. The results indicate that the construction of "fear" occurs through reports from third parties and the media, while the main factor for "feeling safe" is related to the movement of people because, when there is such movement, women are seen.

Author Biographies

Laís Regina Lino, State University of Londrina

Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Departamento de Arquitetura e Urbanismo, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Arquitetura e Urbanismo. Londrina, PR/Brasil.

Milena Kanashiro, State University of Londrina

Graduated in Architecture and Urbanism from the State University of Londrina (1990); Master in Environmental Planning/Osaka University/Japan (1999); PhD in Environment and Development/UFPR (2006) and Post-ARQ Postdoctoral at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Associate at the State University of Londrina, member of the permanent faculty and local vice-coordinator (2017-2019) of the UEL/UEM Associate Master's and Doctorate Program in Architecture and Urbanism, Project Methodology concentration area. Member of the PROIC/UEL Committee (2013-Oct/2015) (20017-March/2019). Institutional Coordinator of the Science without Borders Program (2014-2016). Director of Academic Affairs of the Pro-Rectory of Undergraduate Studies at UEL (Oct/2015 to Oct/2016). Leader of the CTU/UEL Urban Environmental Design research group. Works on the following topics: urban design, urban morphology, built environment, social housing developments, open spaces for public use, walkability and healthy cities.

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Published

2024-06-01

How to Cite

Lino, L. R., & Kanashiro, M. . (2024). Where do women choose to walk? Female safety in public spaces. Cadernos Metrópole, 26(60), 781–803. https://doi.org/10.1590/2236-9996.2024-6017