Visibility is an important factor that affects fear of crime in environments. This study suggests empirical evidence of the relationship between visibility and fear of crime in environments using an automated quantitative analysis method. Spots where children felt fear in exterior areas of elementary schools were aggregated, and their characteristics were analyzed with two visibility dimensions of visual connectivity with no visible distance restrictions and with visible distances restricted. In general, locations with lower levels of visibility reported higher levels of fear of crime. However, where there was very high visibility, fear of crime also increased. In other words, visibility has a dual nature, both increasing and decreasing fear of crime in environments. In addition, the visible distance was a significant element that affects fear of crime. With the assistance of methods and results of this study, designers can plan safer environments and improve existing environments by considering visibility in a systematic and significant manner.
The purpose of this paper was to determine criminal spots on the way home from school for middle-school students. The Gangseo district, where most school violence occurs in Seoul, was investigated. Through a cognitive map analysis, the findings of this paper are as follows: first, the frequency of where fear of crime was felt was greater than that of actual crime, and the fear of crime did not closely reflect crime occurrence. Second, females had more fear of crime spots than males. Third, students feel fear mostly for reasons related to human factors rather than to space factors; among the human factors, 'peers' represented the most frequent reason. Fourth, mixed-use building regions were the most commonly cited criminal regions, as were school regions, despite the fact that they were small areas. Narrow paths and landmarks where people congregate were cited as criminal spots. Planned spaces for relaxation could also lead to fear related to the fact that these places are seen as common bully peer congregation spots. In addition, places associated with territoriality were commonly cited as criminal spots.
This study investigated the effect of contrast in neutral-, warm-, and cool-colored spaces on spatial memory. Spatial memory was measured in terms of architectural scale and recollection of architectural elements and furniture. Participants (N = 114) viewed a short virtual simulation video of a residential studio and were asked to sketch a map of the architectural elements on distributed grid paper. Spatial memory was measured in terms of scale, and item recall rate. Contrast and hue had no significant effect on the memorization of proportional scale. However, high-contrast schemes allowed for a significantly higher recollection of architectural elements than low-contrast schemes. In comparing the effect of hues, a significant difference was seen in recalling detailed furniture and lighting items. Participants reported significantly better spatial memory of neutral and warm color schemes than of cool color schemes. There was no interaction effect between contrast and hue in the color combinations. These results can be applied in the design of color schemes for architectural spaces requiring enhanced spatial cognition and memory.
K E Y W O R D Scolor contrast, color perception, interior color scheme, spatial cognition, spatial memory, virtual environment
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