Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
outcome as Madge (1997:238) recognised was that 'This fear, which reflects structural
inequalities in society, is translated into spatial behaviour which usually involves a
reluctance to occupy certain public spaces at certain times of the day'. For the
geographer, it is the spatial manifestation of that fear and its implications for recreational
resource use (Page et al 1994). Although the evolution and development of Leicester's
urban parks are reviewed later in this topic in Chapter 5, it is worth observing the socio-
demographic context of Madge's study prior to outlining the principal findings.
THE GEOGRAPHY OF FEAR AND URBAN PARK USE IN LEICESTER
Leicester, located in the English East Midlands, is a medium-sized city of 272,000
people, which is 73.09 square kilometres in spatial extent. What is notable, is its diverse
ethnic mix: 72 per cent of the population are white, 24 per cent are Asian, 2 per cent
African Caribbean, 2 per cent Chinese and other 'ethnic groups'. Despite the city's
urban-industrial development (see Pritchard 1976; Page 1988), it is widely acknowledged
that the city has an enviable distribution of open space. By 1994, Leicester City Council
was responsible for over 1200 ha of open space, which comprised 20 per cent of the total
city area. This is a significant level of provision within an international context, and
certainly enhances the city's green and open feel. Most parks are currently having
management plans developed for each park and open space, which were due to be
implemented by 2005 (see http://www.leicester.gov.uk/).
In this context, Madge's (1997) analysis of the geography of fear was timely. The
sampling framework, namely face-to-face interviews with Leicester residents at on-street
locations, sought to derive a sample of city-wide park and open space use, with some 535
respondents interviewed. From the survey, ten main constraints emerged which
influenced park use. In order of importance they were
• fear
• weather
• lack of time due to work
• family constraints
• lack of transport
• lack of interest
• limited awareness of facilities available
• housework
• distance of parks/too far away
• physically unable to get to the parks.
Some 43 per cent of respondents attributed fear as a 'very important' factor
constraining their use of parks. The gender difference was striking with 75 per cent of
women compared to 50 per cent of men stating fear was a major constraint on park use.
This is in line with Westover's (1985) finding in North America, where 90 per cent of
female respondents felt unsafe if alone in parks. Studies of victimisation in Leicester (e.g.
Willis 1992) recognise that women have a greater sense of insecurity due to their
vulnerability to crime.
When ethnicity was examined, Asian groups expressed higher levels of fear compared
with white and African Caribbean groups reflecting victimisation statistics racial abuse
