@unpublished{theses_frw4779,
            year = {2024},
           title = {Planning for the Night: Exploring Perceived Safety in Urban Nightlife Environments in Groningen},
          author = {Mike Doldersum},
             url = {https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/4779/},
        abstract = {This research explores the topic of perceived safety in nightlife within the city of Groningen, focusing on how spatial planning can enhance perceived safety in the city's nightlife scene. The study employs semi-structured interviews to gather qualitative data from various stakeholders, including municipal authorities, the night council, public health services, and other key actors involved in the nightlife environment. On top of that, a focus group was conducted. The focus group consisted of students who described their surroundings during a tour of the nightlife district. They were asked how safe they felt in these places during a night out to determine if their surroundings influenced their experiences. Additionally, a literature review examines known methods and interventions for improving perceived safety in nightlife settings. Through a theoretical framework grounded in spatial planning, the study investigates how design interventions and planning strategies influence individuals' feelings of safety during nighttime.
The main findings reveal diverse perspectives on planning interventions, highlighting existing practices and experimental approaches to improve perceived safety. The research concludes that spatial planning in Groningen's nightlife can enhance perceived safety through physical and social interventions, with collaboration between various institutions being critical and creating safer environments for nightlife visitors. Moreover, the study underscores the importance of balancing safety with the social and cultural vibrancy that characterises nightlife districts. The study
contributes significantly to spatial planning by offering a framework for understanding and addressing the complex dynamics of perceived safety and nightlife, with implications for future research focused on enhancing safety and inclusivity in nightlife.}
}