Urban form and sense of security
Urban Form and Sense of Security
Kenny P. Joy
URP0910
Prof. Rameshwar P.V.K
Urban Form and Space
April 18, 2012
URBAN FORM & SENSE OF SECURITY
Paper on: Urban form and sense of security : A review
Kenny P. Joy
Student of Urban design, CEPT University, Ahmedabad
Abstract: The paper essentially deals with sense of security in the context of urban space and its relation with urban form. The study examines the sense of security in public spaces and the factors that determine it. This study tries to explore human perceptions of security in urban environments, by investigating the impact of design factors in the built environment on an individual’s perception of personal safety in that space. This study was carried out within the context of an urban design study rather than within a human psychology-based study. To validate these factors a site from the traditional fabric of Ahmedabad is studied and is compared with the same factors at a site in the newer fabric of the city. The paper finally attempts to establish the relevance of the traditional urban form within contemporary city developments, in achieving better sense of security in public spaces.
Understanding of the basic theme
a. Definition of Sense of security
Sense of security in simple terms can be defined as a human feeling that makes the person convinced that he / she is safe and secure in a particular place or context. The person with a sense of security is not feared of any force which can be a person, a group of persons or an animal or any other manmade / ‘supernatural’ force which can put them in danger (physical or mental damage). People develop specific fears as they learn about certain people, objects, animals or natural/ ‘supernatural’ forces. A child was conditioned to fear a white rat in the laboratory might fear even other white, furry objects
Kenny P. Joy |
2
URBAN FORM & SENSE OF SECURITY
(generalization of fear). In the real world, fear can be
Kenny P. Joy
URP0910
Prof. Rameshwar P.V.K
Urban Form and Space
April 18, 2012
URBAN FORM & SENSE OF SECURITY
Paper on: Urban form and sense of security : A review
Kenny P. Joy
Student of Urban design, CEPT University, Ahmedabad
Abstract: The paper essentially deals with sense of security in the context of urban space and its relation with urban form. The study examines the sense of security in public spaces and the factors that determine it. This study tries to explore human perceptions of security in urban environments, by investigating the impact of design factors in the built environment on an individual’s perception of personal safety in that space. This study was carried out within the context of an urban design study rather than within a human psychology-based study. To validate these factors a site from the traditional fabric of Ahmedabad is studied and is compared with the same factors at a site in the newer fabric of the city. The paper finally attempts to establish the relevance of the traditional urban form within contemporary city developments, in achieving better sense of security in public spaces.
Understanding of the basic theme
a. Definition of Sense of security
Sense of security in simple terms can be defined as a human feeling that makes the person convinced that he / she is safe and secure in a particular place or context. The person with a sense of security is not feared of any force which can be a person, a group of persons or an animal or any other manmade / ‘supernatural’ force which can put them in danger (physical or mental damage). People develop specific fears as they learn about certain people, objects, animals or natural/ ‘supernatural’ forces. A child was conditioned to fear a white rat in the laboratory might fear even other white, furry objects
Kenny P. Joy |
2
URBAN FORM & SENSE OF SECURITY
(generalization of fear). In the real world, fear can be