Effect of Fear of Crime on Residential Neighbourhood Density in Ibadan, Nigeria

Fear of crime has become a pervasive feature of everyday urban life, particularly in rapidly urbanising cities of the Nigeria, where socio-spatial inequality and infrastructural deficits increase residents’ perceptions of insecurity. Beyond actual crime incidence, fear of crime functions as an emotional condition that shapes mobility, social interaction, and urban well-being. This study examines the relationship between fear of crime and urban well-being across residential neighbourhood density areas in Ibadan, Nigeria, with particular attention to emotional responses and everyday coping practices. Drawing on a cross-sectional household survey of 1,342 residents across (169) respondents in low-density areas, (440) in medium-density and (733) in high-density neighbourhoods. The study employed descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, correlation analysis, and analysis of variance to explore spatial variations and relational dynamics. The findings revealed significant differences in fear of crime across residential neighbourhood density areas, with high-density areas exhibiting the highest levels of expressed fear, while medium-density neighbourhoods demonstrate heightened emotional insecurity associated with infrastructural decline and social transition. Across all neighbourhood types, fear of crime shows a strong inverse relationship with urban well-being, exerting a more pronounced influence than reported experiences of victimisation. Residents adapt through a range of everyday practices, including avoidance behaviour, reliance on collective surveillance, and home fortification, with patterns varying by neighbourhood tyes. The study concludes that fear of crime constitutes an emotional dimension of urban inequality that demands planning responses beyond conventional crime-control strategies. Integrating emotion-sensitive planning, community engagement, and context-specific urban design is essential for promoting safer and more inclusive cities in Nigeria and comparable urban centers.