Lighting the street in an urban neighborhood.
Item
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Title
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Lighting the street in an urban neighborhood.
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Identifier
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AAI9946225
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identifier
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9946225
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Creator
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Tillett, Linnaea.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Gary Winkel
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Date
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1999
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, General | Urban and Regional Planning | Landscape Architecture | Environmental Sciences
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Abstract
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This study examined the impact of the introduction of aesthetically appealing street lighting---designed to support formal and informal social interactions after dark---on pedestrian behavior and attitudes in a high crime, low income community. The study took place over a two-year period and involved five phases: (I) Pilot Study, (II) Pre-Installation Evaluation, (III) Design and Fixture Installation, (IV) Post installation Evaluation Time 1, (V) Post installation Evaluation Time 2.;A pre-post-post1 research design was developed using multiple methods of inquiry. Quantitative data were obtained and combined with qualitative data generated from street interviews and interviews with key players and community network leaders. The instruments and measures for the study were designed to evaluate pedestrian comfort, street use, use of civic institutions, crime, and neighborhood upkeep. The measures included a street interview, pedestrian count, library circulation and attendance records, assault statistics, and a site assessment. Post-evaluation interviews and a final focus group were conducted to generate qualitative data respectively. The pilot study emerged as the key to the success of the project. By determining that the context of the intervention, the local culture of walking, and the presence or absence of destinations, all had a role to play in shaping the success or failure of the intervention.;It was found that the new street lighting did increase pedestrian reports of comfort and this finding was distributed almost evenly across men and woman. Support was found for the proposition that changes in destination would result from the lighting intervention (that there was an increase in civic use but a decrease in visiting and exercise). Significantly, a modest increase in library circulation and attendance was achieved. It appears that the street lighting functioned most successfully when the opportunities for transaction occurred.;This study draws attention to the context in which the intervention takes place. These include: the role that key informants can play in selecting a street location; the importance of reading the physical character of the community for evidence of participation and community health; and the importance of locating key institutions that foster prosocial behavior.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
