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Fear of crime and affective ambiguities in the night-time economy

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  • Jelle Brands
  • Tim Schwanen
  • Irina van Aalst

Abstract

This article analyses fear of crime in the night-time economy as an event that emerges from, and unfolds as part of, the on-going encounters with human and non-human elements in particular places. A conceptual approach to understanding fear of crime is elaborated that highlights the role of ambiguity, meaning that a particular element does not have stable, well-determined effects on fear of crime, and the importance of thinking of fear as the folding of immediate futures and the past into the experienced present. Drawing on empirical research with university students in Utrecht, the Netherlands, the article explores how lighting, policing and the presence of ‘undesired others’ affect fear. Multiple forms of ambiguity are shown to exist, suggesting that interventions in the built environment and zero-tolerance policing tactics are unlikely to reduce fear of crime in the night-time economy as much as past research, influential policy and media discourses have suggested.

Suggested Citation

  • Jelle Brands & Tim Schwanen & Irina van Aalst, 2015. "Fear of crime and affective ambiguities in the night-time economy," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 52(3), pages 439-455, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:52:y:2015:i:3:p:439-455
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098013505652
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tim Schwanen & Irina van Aalst & Jelle Brands & Tjerk Timan, 2012. "Rhythms of the Night: Spatiotemporal Inequalities in the Nighttime Economy," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 44(9), pages 2064-2085, September.
    2. Hinkle, Joshua C. & Weisburd, David, 2008. "The irony of broken windows policing: A micro-place study of the relationship between disorder, focused police crackdowns and fear of crime," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 36(6), pages 503-512, November.
    3. Carolyn Whitzman, 2007. "Stuck at the Front Door: Gender, Fear of Crime and the Challenge of Creating Safer Space," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 39(11), pages 2715-2732, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ola Svenonius, 2018. "The body politics of the urban age: reflections on surveillance and affect," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 4(1), pages 1-10, December.

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