Bamberg is looking for participants: How safe do citizens feel in the city?

Bamberg is looking for participants: How safe do citizens feel in the city?

The Otto Friedrich University of Bamberg is currently looking for participants for a comprehensive study that examines the perception of security in the city. This initiative is part of the interdisciplinary research network, the Smart City Research Lab (SCRL). The aim of the study, which is led by Ronja Rösler from the Chair of Personality Psychology and Psychological Diagnostics, is to understand the factors that influence citizens' sense of security and to specifically design public spaces to strengthen this feeling. Anyone interested can take part in recording their feelings about safety in Bamberg using a virtual city map.

Participation in the study is uncomplicated and takes place online and lasts a maximum of 15 minutes. Participants are asked to provide demographic information and mark three places where they feel unsafe. They then answer questions about their feeling of safety at these points. A smartphone, tablet or computer is required to participate, although a larger screen is recommended. Participants also have the chance to win one of 50 Bamberg City vouchers worth 10 euros each. Psychology students also have the opportunity to have test subject hours credited. Further information about participation can be found on the University of Bamberg website.

Smart City Initiative and Security Research

The study is not the only project that takes place in close cooperation between the city of Bamberg and the Otto Friedrich University. As part of the Smart City Initiative, the Graduate School for Smart City Science (BaGSCiS) was also launched. This is intended to promote research projects to improve urban living space. A central project within this initiative is “Safe City”, which specifically deals with people’s sense of security in public spaces. In addition to the ongoing study, a scientific survey on subjective feelings of safety is also being carried out, which also lasts between five and fifteen minutes.

The results from these studies are of interest not only for science, but also for urban planning and the development of safe public spaces in Bamberg. This data will help gain a better understanding of citizens' needs and take concrete actions to improve security.

The feeling of security in Germany

In the broader context of the feeling of safety in urban spaces, a study by Axis Communications shows that in Germany only 39 percent of respondents feel safe enough in public spaces to point out rule violations to others. In a representative survey that included 4,500 people in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Benelux countries, 64 percent of Germans said that cameras increase their feeling of safety on the roads. Confidence in technology appears to be growing, with almost half of respondents (49 percent) believing that technological solutions such as video cameras and audio recordings could help ensure compliance with hygiene and social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is also clear that over 63 percent of Germans would like additional camera surveillance at events in order to feel safer. At the same time, 48 percent of Germans, especially women, express fears in public places at night. In an international comparison, only 32 percent of Germans show that they perceive video cameras as an invasion of their privacy. Responsible handling of image data and data protection seems crucial to strengthening trust in these technologies.

With the ongoing study at the Otto Friedrich University and the results of corresponding surveys, it is clear that the topic of security is increasingly becoming the focus of urban research. Future findings will be of great importance for urban development and security management. Those who are curious can participate and contribute their perspective on this important topic using the links provided.