On the perception of safety in low income neighbourhoods: using digital images in a stated choice experiment

Abstract

This research is part of a project that studied the relationship between public space and safety in low-income neighbourhoods in Santiago, Chile. We present the results of a stated choice experiment using digital images of public spaces which was applied to residents of four such neighbourhoods. Respondents faced choice scenarios with alternatives described by pairs of digitally processed images based on observations of the various neighbourhoods, allowing better identification with their spatial context. By incorporating a cost-related attribute we were able to estimate the willingness to pay (WTP) for improving the public spaces considered.We segmented the sample into categories distinguishing by gender, age, family type, and socioeconomic level. The majority were young families with low income and educational levels. We concluded that in spite of the predominantly low income levels, there is a relatively high WTP for improving the perceived safety of areas used daily. Among the most valued attributes are street maintenance and natural vigilance, in particular the natural flow of people and the presence of elements associated with potential vigilance (e.g. windows and access points to buildings).