Mapping the impact of mixed land use on fear of crime using case studies from As-Salt City, Jordan

Purpose While urban planning research has examined how the built environment shapes crime patterns, less attention has been paid to its influence on fear of crime (FOC) at the micro-neighborhood scale, particularly in non-Western contexts. This study explores FOC in high mixed land-use areas in As-Salt City, Jordan, where such research is limited. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory mixed-methods approach focused on two high mixed-use streets with elevated crime rates: Lower Prince Hamza Street at Wadi Al Halabi and Prince Hasan Bin Talal Street at Al Jada’a. Data collection combined questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and participatory mapping to measure FOC, familiarity and the specific land uses that evoke fear. Findings Previous victimization had minimal impact on FOC, whereas familiarity with an area significantly reduced it. Higher FOC was associated with locations of dense pedestrian activity – particularly near cosmetic stores, car-related businesses and restaurants/cafés – and with environments dominated by unfamiliar individuals or predominantly male groups. These patterns call for gender-sensitive, community-informed safety planning that addresses the social effects of land-use clustering and pedestrian flows in mixed-use zones. Research limitations/implications Findings are context-specific to As-Salt and may not generalize to other settings, yet they highlight the value of integrating community perceptions into urban safety strategies. Future research should test these patterns in diverse cultural and spatial contexts using longitudinal and comparative methods. Originality/value By combining spatial analysis with participatory mapping, this study provides new evidence on FOC in a non-Western city, offering practical insights for planners and policymakers to mitigate perceived risks linked to specific land uses.