Safety perception and concerns in naturalistic landscapes of urban parks in Malaysia

Naturalistic landscapes in urban parks, despite their many benefits, often are perceived as being unsafe, and very little research has been conducted on this issue. Thus, the goal of this study was to determine the public's concerns and perceptions of safety regarding naturalistic landscapes in urban parks. The study used a questionnaire survey that was completed by 360 participants in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The participants' perceived safety (PS) in naturalistic landscapes in urban parks and concerns regarding threats were examined using statements that were scored on a five-point Likert-like scale. The results indicated that study participants felt safe in naturalistic landscapes in urban parks. The results also indicated that their concerns regarding crimes in urban parks were more significant than their concerns regarding the threat from wildlife. Participants' PS was associated with their concerns regarding possible threats from other people (potential criminals) in such an environment, and their perception was related to their concerns regarding violent crime and social incivilities.