Development and Validation of a Landscape-Security Framework for Perceived Safety in Urban Recreational Parks: A Case Study of Lagos, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63746/njtd.v23i2.4562Keywords:
Landscape-security framework, Crime prevention, urban parks, CPTED, Safety perceptionAbstract
Urban recreational parks in rapidly urbanizing cities of the Global South, such as Lagos State in Nigeria, encounter unique safety challenges that are distinct from those observed in Western contexts. This research established and validated an Integrated Landscape-Security Framework (ILSF) aimed at evaluating the connections between environmental design features and perceived safety within urban recreational parks. A descriptive quantitative cross-sectional methodology was utilized across 18 parks, from which 9 were purposefully selected for comprehensive spatial analysis. Data collection involved structured questionnaires distributed to park users (n = 423 valid responses), supplemented by expert evaluations and field observations. Reliability assessments indicated a high level of internal consistency across the measurement scales (Cronbach’s ? = 0.86–0.90). Two composite indicators were formulated: the Mean Crime Perception (MCP) index and the Weighted Crime Safety Index (WCSI), with WCSI values normalized through min–max scaling. Analytical methods included descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Parks that featured sufficient lighting, enhanced visibility, and proper upkeep reported higher levels of perceived safety (WCSI ? 0.68), while areas with dense vegetation and inadequate surveillance were linked to lower safety perceptions (WCSI ? 0.61). Notable associations were identified between perceived safety and factors such as natural surveillance (?² = 12.33), access control (?² = 14.23), territorial reinforcement (?² = 11.45), lighting (?² = 10.83), and maintenance (?² = 9.21) (p < 0.05). EFA (KMO = 0.82; 66.8% variance explained) revealed two underlying dimensions—Design Integration and Maintenance and Lighting—thus empirically substantiating the ILSF framework. This study illustrates that both spatial design and operational management play crucial roles in influencing perceived safety within resource-limited urban settings. The validated ILSF provides an evidence-based planning tool to improve park safety and support sustainable management of recreational spaces in the Global South.
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