Gender disparities in perceived visibility and crime anxiety in piloti parking spaces of multifamily housing: A virtual reality study

Abstract

This study examined the influence of gender differences on perceived visibility and crime anxiety within the architectural context of multifamily residential areas, utilizing virtual reality to simulate environments in street spaces and piloti parking areas. By exploring gender-specific responses to architectural design elements, this study aimed to provide a nuanced understanding of how visibility and environmental design have different effects on safety perceptions for men and women. The findings revealed that men preferred unobstructed views to enhance their sense of security, while women prioritized minimizing blind spots within their immediate vicinity, viewing transparent fences as spatial delineators as enhancing the sense of a controlled and secure space rather than as visual barriers. This study further demonstrates that perceived visibility significantly mitigates fear of crime across genders, yet emphasizes that interventions to increase visibility must be gender-sensitive to avoid counterproductive effects. This study highlights the need for urban planning and design strategies that accommodate gender differences in safety perceptions, suggesting a move toward more inclusive and gender-responsive urban environments. The limitations of this study and directions for future research are discussed to enhance our understanding of the complex relationship between urban design, visibility, and safety perceptions.

Keywords

Perceived visibility / Fear of crime / Gender differences / Virtual reality / CPTED / Piloti parking spaces

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