Light, visibility and perceived safety: a case study on how light levels and light distribution are related to women’s perceived safety in  the urban environment  of Stockholm city

Abstract: This thesis investigates the relationship between light, visibility and women’s perceived safety through a case study. Specifically, it investigates visibility related to light levels and light distribution at four bus stops in urban areas of Stockholm, Sweden. The methodology is divided into Literature review and Case study. The first provides an overview on theories related to visibility, light and perceived safety in the urban environment.  Then, the Case study presents an investigation through Qualitative and Quantitative research. The Qualitative research is divided into three steps: (1) firstly, four bus stops are selected in urban areas through the Light Zones concept tool [12] and analyzed by the author through the V/P Theory [11]; (2) then, the relationship between light, visibility and women’s safety perception is evaluated through an online form; (3) and finally, this relationship is further investigated during on-site interviews in order to explore how light distribution affect women’s perception. During the Quantitative research, Luminance and Illuminance measurements are developed in order to assess light levels and light distribution at the area of the four bus stops. From the results of all methodology steps, the relationship between light, visibility and women’s perceived safety was discussed and three main factors were assessed to be important to women’s perceived safety at bus stop areas. The first factor is connected to light distribution, and this thesis understood that women’s perceived safety is connected to light on their immediate surroundings, rather than on further distances. The second factor is connected to light levels, and it was concluded that higher light levels on immediate surroundings increase visibility thus, increasing safety perception. The third factor is connected to the experienced light, in which this thesis recognized that previous experiences and contexts related to light influence how women perceive safety in urban spaces.