URBAN SPACE for EVERYONE Challenges, Conflicts and Measures © Foto: Sisse Jarner/Chiliarkiv.Dk © Foto
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Helle Nørgaard and Sølvi Børresen URBAN SPACE FOR EVERYONE Challenges, conflicts and measures © Foto: Sisse Jarner/chiliarkiv.dk © Foto: URBAN SPACE... FOR EVERYONE Challenges, conflicts and measures By Helle Nørgaard and Sølvi Børresen The Danish Building Research Institute Aalborg University Foreword In recent years there has been in the 12 Danish police districts to much focus on the revitalisation of discuss a holistic programme of cities and urban space. Streets and crime prevention in urban space. squares are expected to offer lively, The study underlying this report is diverse settings that can accommo- a step in that direction. We hope date a wide spectrum of users from the report will help create greater rollerbladers to café guests and awareness of the development people who simply want to relax of urban space for the benefit of in the sun. Urban space should be residents and users in the city. beautiful and interesting, inviting residents and other users to meet The report focuses on urban life and stay for a while. and discusses the questions: Why are some city spaces considered But urban space also holds the safe and others not? Where do potential for conflicts and crime: people want to be? What are the violence, theft, graffiti and sale inevitable dilemmas in the quest of drugs take place within the to provide ‘urban space for every- confines of the city. Experience one’? shows, however, that making a conscious effort to properly The study is based on eight city design, maintain and operate ur- spaces in Copenhagen, Odense, ban space can reduce crime and Århus and Aalborg with focus on increase feelings of safety. The de- crime prevention measures and sire to prevent crime and increase experiences from local municipali- security can however clash with ties and the police. Focus is fur- the desire for diversity and liveli- thermore on the users’ perception ness and it is therefore important of safety in relation to the case to find a good balance between study areas which were selected these different elements and con- on the basis of their relatively high siderations. This balance must be incidence of crime compared with rooted in specific local conditions. other parts of the cities: violence, theft and graffiti in particular. The For many years there has been particular urban spaces are places a need for knowledge about the where many people gather and crime prevention aspects of urban where crime occurs which is the development which has encour- downside of the city’s popularity. aged The Danish Crime Prevention Council to investigate this area. The study was conducted by Helle The purpose is to share knowledge Nørgaard, senior researcher and and experience with local politi- project manager, and Sølvi Karin cians, urban planners, operations Børresen, researcher, from The managers and the police. One par- Danish Building Research Insti- ticular aspiration is to inspire the tute. Furthermore, Pernille Arborg, district crime prevention councils intern, contributed to the study. Thorkild Ærø Anna Karina Nickelsen Research Director Head of secretariat The Danish Building Research Institute The Danish Crime Prevention Council Table of contents Urban space for everyone? – conclusions and recommendations 7 City life 10 The city as meeting place 10 Urban revitalisation 10 Multifunctional city space 11 Safety and risks 13 What creates unsafety? 13 Socially marginalised people in public space 14 Making space for marginalised groups 14 Challenges, problems and conflicts 15 Crime and safety 16 Routes, moving about and lighting 16 Eyes on squares and places 17 Closed spaces – open spaces 18 Urban spaces – maintenance or neglect 18 Dialogue and interdisciplinary cooperation 19 ‘The good square’ 20 Users’ perceptions of risk 20 Challenges and measures 20 Challenges and measures for the various urban areas 21 The selected cities and city spaces 22 Copenhagen 22 Odense 23 Århus 24 Aalborg 25 Common features of the urban spaces 26 Urban space for everyone? – conclusions and recommendations Cities are undergoing constant is a challenge to the concept of avoiding entertainment and other change where local municipalities ‘urban space for everyone’. activities in housing areas and focus on making urban areas more concentrating ‘urban functions’ in attractive, lively and interesting Another goal in urban development other areas such conflicts can be and where many new housing is to avoid mono-functional areas avoided. However, this kind of con- developments are taken place. This and instead aim for a mix of activi- centration can leave some parts of is largely a success which means ties in certain districts. This means the city deserted. more people visit, use and live in placing stores, cafés, restaurants, cities. amusement arcades, movie the- Conceptually, multifunctional urban atres and other types of business- spaces are designed to meet A common goal in the revitalisa- es and housing side by side. This is the need of all users. However, tion process is for urban space to attractive to many people because urban planners often have specific be welcoming and accessible to it livens up the street. But it also users in mind, and some work everyone. At the same time, urban creates conflicts when families consciously to design urban space planners try to create flexible, living in the city have to co-exist that appeals to selected groups. diverse and multicultural space to with others who use the city as For although the general goal is to meet changes in use, preferences an entertainment centre until the provide flexible, diverse and multi- and needs. Urban users have dif- early hours of the morning. By cultural space, creating ‘common ferent needs and interests which using a more traditional strategy of space’ is difficult in a time where Urban success increases the use of the city’s various places and spaces. This results in greater wear and tear, which requires ongo- ing maintenance, repair and renovation. Shown here, Søndergade, the main pedestrian street in Århus. 7 Popular urban areas are not popular with everyone. Residents’ desire for peace and quiet conflicts with the nightlife fuelled by the entertainment options in the neighbourhood. Shown here: Jomfru Ane Gade in Aalborg. individuality is valued and marked in certain areas, instead choosing to the perception of what and who by different and changing needs. what is considered ‘safe routes’. is dangerous, and rarely to actual experience. This does not hold true There are many ‘urban successes’ Physical surroundings such as build- for socially marginalised groups, around the country and in many ings and street furniture, lighting however, whose members are at ways it has been possible to create and visibility thus influence the feel- risk of violence and attack, and diverse urban life. However, the ing of safety. Areas devoid of people who therefore quite naturally feel urban success is not for everyone are perceived as being unsafe. This highly vulnerable. since there is not always room shows that safety and security and tolerance for all users. Meet- issues are important to consider The conclusion is that working ing the needs and preferences of when working with public space. with public space presents many the city’s various users requires dilemmas. It is crucial to decide greater focus on specific groups Some people perceive urban life what kind of public space is aimed and providing space for selected and being in the city as unsafe and at and to consider who the us- users - also those who are socially even dangerous, and avoid certain ers might be because particular marginalised. areas because of fear of what designs etc. may be diminishing might happen. This is a paradox the quality that is valued by some The study shows that users because the risk of actually being a users. There are no clear-cut solu- typically say that they do not feel victim of crime is on the decrease. tions when working with urban unsafe in the city when asked While the fear of being the victim development and creating safe directly. However, the study also of crime has risen, for several environments for everyone. It is shows that beneath the imme- years now, the crime rate has actu- important to consider what kind diate impression of safety and ally fallen in Denmark and other of urban space is desired, what is security, in their daily lives people European countries. feasible, where different functions do think about whether places are should be located and who will safe or unsafe. They avoid walking The study shows that the feeling use particular urban spaces. of being unsafe is closely related 8 It is recommended to: • Acknowledge urban success, but recognise that increased and different use causes more wear and tear. • Take a close look at the op- eration and maintenance of public space. Does it match the increased use of the city and urban success? • Consider the need for more supervision of public space: reinstate park attendants to embody common norms of behaviour. Vandalism and graffiti make many people feel unsafe. Neglect reinforces the feeling • Distinguish between ‘urban that the area is unsupervised. space for everyone’ and ‘urban space for some’, acknowledging the impossibility of providing SSP (formalised local coop- Copenhagen, Odense, Århus and safe urban space for everyone eration between the schools, Aalborg that were the basis for at the same time. social services and police) the study. The report summarises • Work with the several and cooperation. experiences from planning, de- different types of users and signing and operating and use of carefully weigh their various in- The purpose of this report is to urban space in the four cities listed terests and needs in the urban provide inspiration for planners, above. These experiences form the policy process.