Planning for diverse users: gender- and culture-specific drivers of fear of crime in Seoul’s commercial districts

Fear of crime is a persistent social issue that disrupts daily routines, weakens community ties, and harms mental health. While gender has long been recognized as a determinant of perceived safety, the influence of cultural background, particularly in East Asian urban commercial contexts, remains underexplored. This study examines how environmental design features shape fear of crime in Seoul’s commercial districts, focusing on gender and cultural (Eastern vs. Western) differences. An online survey conducted in August 2020 with 199 adults (56% female; 63% Eastern) presented 24 conditions derived from Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) using standardized photographic stimuli. Each condition was rated on a five-point Likert scale, and differences were analyzed with mixed-design ANOVA. Results revealed consistent patterns: women and Eastern participants reported higher fear than men and Western participants. Eastern respondents displayed stronger sensitivity to cues related to maintenance and surveillance, whereas Western participants (particularly men) exhibited more stable perceptions. Prior victimization was less predictive of fear than cultural background, suggesting a mediating role of social norms. These findings indicate that cultural identity can be as influential as gender in shaping fear of crime and underscore the need for culturally sensitive CPTED strategies to inform urban planning and policy.