Exploring Landscape Features Influencing Women’s Perceived Safety Across Parks in Leith, Edinburgh (Thesis Proposal Sample)

Exploring Landscape Features Influencing Women’s Perceived Safety Across Parks in Leith, Edinburgh Student’s Name Affiliation Course Number and Name Instructor Due Date Table of Contents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u Chapter One: Introduction PAGEREF _Toc138589863 \h 31.1 Introduction PAGEREF _Toc138589864 \h 31.2 Contextual Background PAGEREF _Toc138589865 \h 31.3 Statement of Issue PAGEREF _Toc138589866 \h 41.4 Research Aims PAGEREF _Toc138589867 \h 51.5 Objectives PAGEREF _Toc138589868 \h 51.6 Research questions PAGEREF _Toc138589869 \h 51.7 Purpose of the Study and Methodological Approach PAGEREF _Toc138589870 \h 61.8 Significance of Study PAGEREF _Toc138589871 \h 71.9 Overview of the Study PAGEREF _Toc138589872 \h 7Chapter Two: Literature Review PAGEREF _Toc138589873 \h 92.1 Perception of Safety in Urban Parks PAGEREF _Toc138589874 \h 92.2 Gendered Experiences of Park Spaces PAGEREF _Toc138589875 \h 102.3 Landscape Features on Perceived Safety PAGEREF _Toc138589876 \h 112.4 Designing Safe and Inclusive Parks PAGEREF _Toc138589877 \h 132.5 Green Spaces and Human Wellbeing PAGEREF _Toc138589878 \h 142.6 Community Engagement and Perceptions of Safety PAGEREF _Toc138589879 \h 16References PAGEREF _Toc138589880 \h 18 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1.0 Introduction Women's safety in public spaces, notably parks and recreational areas, has been under increasing scrutiny in recent years. Women's heightened emotions of vulnerability and dread while entering these spaces might limit their engagement and have a negative impact on their well-being. Designing inclusive and safe urban settings requires an understanding of the landscape features that affect women's perceptions of safety in parks. The purpose of this research is to identify the landscape features in parks in Leith, a dynamic and varied area in Edinburgh, that contribute to women's feelings of safety. 1.2 Contextual Background Located in the north of the city of Edinburg, Leith is full with history and has its own unique personality. Massive urbanization has changed it from a thriving port town into a residential and business center. In order to unwind, have fun, and meet new people, Leith's residents need access to green spaces like the parks that are conveniently located across the city. However, community members have highlighted concerns about safety, especially for women, calling for a closer look at the landscape features that contribute to these worries (Gargiulo et al., 2020). Perceived safety refers to an individual's subjective evaluation of their own safety in a given place. It includes both the real hazards that an individual faces and the way that person perceives those risks. People's actions are significantly influenced by their perceptions of safety, which affects their desire to attend and interact with public spaces (Hashim et al., 2016). The physical surroundings, societal influences, and personal experiences all have a role in how women feel about their own safety. In order to design spaces that are welcoming and empowering for all members of a community, it is crucial to have a firm grasp on these considerations. Women's feelings of safety in parks may be strongly affected by their physical layout. Feelings of safety and security may be enhanced by some landscape features, while others might heighten feelings of insecurity. For instance, a more visible and less concealable environment may be created with well-lit walkways, obvious lines of sight, and well-maintained flora (Acuña-Rivera et al., 2014). Dim lighting, thick foliage, and isolated settings may all contribute to a feeling of discomfort. How women feel about their own safety might be influenced by social variables as well. Feelings of safety and security may be affected by the number of other people in the park, the amount of social contact, and the general vibe there (An et al., 2022). The variety of parkgoers, the presence of security guards, and the provision of sitting options are all factors that might increase women's feelings of safety in the park. 1.3 Statement of Issue This thesis investigates the landscape features that affect women's perceived safety and security throughout Leith parks. When it comes to enjoying and participating in public spaces, safety and security are paramount. However, it is commonly acknowledged that women have special safety concerns in metropolitan contexts, which might limit their use of public spaces like parks (Fleming et al., 2016; Hashim et al., 2016). The purpose of this research is to explore the landscape features that affect women's perceived safety in parks in the Leith region. This study attempts to uncover particular architectural components, spatial arrangements, and environmental aspects that may influence women's perceptions of safety in park environments (Sun, 2008). The purpose of this investigation is to increase understanding of the barriers that women confront while attempting to use public spaces so that measures may be developed to make parks both safer and more welcoming for everyone. Mixed-methods research, including qualitative and quantitative techniques, will be used for this project. Data will be collected via questionnaires, interviews, and on-site observations to understand how women in Leith feel about their personal safety in parks (Stoltz, 2020). To improve safety measures and design interventions in park planning and management, this data must be analyzed to get a thorough knowledge of the landscape features that impact women's perceived safety. This study's findings will aid urban planners, landscape architects, lawmakers, and anyone interested in making parks more welcoming to women and girls. The ultimate aim is to improve the general quality of urban life in Leith by increasing women's access to parks, fostering a feeling of security, and fostering a sense of community.Top of Form 1.4 Research Aims Primary research objectives for the thesis subject "Exploring Landscape Features Influencing Women's Perceived Safety Across Parks in Leith" 1 Look at the connection between women's perceived safety and landscape features in the Leith area's parks. 2 Look for the unique landscape features that affect women's sense of safety or insecurity in parks. 3 Evaluate how women's perceived safety is affected by factors such as illumination, visibility, vegetation, paths, and other important landscape characteristics. 4 Look at how the layout and design of the park affects women's feelings of security and comfort. 5 Investigate the impact of women's social interactions and the presence of other parkgoers on their sense of personal safety in public spaces. 6 To improve women's perceived safety in Leith's parks, provide suggestions for park design and management practices. 7 Focusing on women's experiences and views of safety in park settings adds to the literature on gender and urban planning. 1.5 Objectives The objectives of this research study are: 1 Identify the specific landscape features that impact women's perceived safety in parks across Leith. 2 Understand the relationship between landscape features and women's perceived safety in parks across Leith. 1.6 Research questions The following research questions will guide this study and address the key issues outlined in the research statement. Q1: How do different elements of park design, including lighting, visibility, signage, and spatial layout, contribute to women's sense of safety while using parks in the Leith area Q2: How do women's perceptions of safety vary across different parks in Leith based on the presence or absence of specific landscape features? Q3: How do the identified landscape features contribute to women's feelings of safety while using parks in Leith? Q4: What are the potential strategies and interventions that can be implemented to improve women's perceived safety by modifying or enhancing specific landscape features within parks across Leith? Top of Form 1.7 Purpose of the Study and the Methodological Approach The purpose of this study is to look at the landscape features that affect women's perceived safety in the Leith region's parks. Planning for women's safety in public spaces is essential to ensuring their health and full participation in city life (Grahn & Stigsdotter, 2010). This study intends to give useful insights for designing inclusive and secure public spaces by studying the connection between various landscape features and women's feelings of safety. Methodological Approach: To acquire a thorough knowledge of the variables impacting women's perceived safety in parks, this research will use a mixed-methodologies approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative methods. Below is a breakdown of the study's planned phases: 1 Literature Review: The study will be based on a literature review that examines previous research on topics such as public space landscape design, crime prevention, and women's and men's perspectives on public spaces. Within the theoretical framework provided by this review, both potential factors and research gaps will be highlighted. 2 Data Collection: Data will be collected through survey questionnaires. Women who live in or visit the parks in the Leith region will be given quantitative surveys. Perceived safety, unique landscape features, and individual experiences will all be collected via the questionnaires. Statistical analysis and the discovery of patterns will be made possible with this data. 3 Data Analysis: The quantitative survey results will be evaluated using statistical methods to find trends, correlations, and defining landscape features that contribute to or detract from perceived safety. Thematic analysis will be used to glean meaningful themes and narratives from interviews and focus groups. 4 Synthesis and Recommendations: To make thorough conclusions regarding the landscape features impacting women's perceived safety in parks, t...