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Social Safety as a Silent Social Value Driver of Real Estate

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GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PERCEIVED SAFETY IN THE BUILD ENVIRONMENT

In the report Social Safety as a Social Value Driver in Real Estate, Savills examines how perceived safety influences the use, functioning, and social value of buildings, and the role that gender differences play in this context. Building on the earlier Invisible Women in Real Estate report, which demonstrated that the built environment does not function equally for everyone, this new study shifts the focus from awareness to measurable impact.

The findings show that social safety is not only a societal issue, but also a factor that influences how buildings perform and how intensively they are used. When part of the user base feels less safe, this can result in shorter dwell times, the avoidance of certain areas, or reduced use of locations at specific times of day. Perceived safety therefore affects not only how a building is experienced, but also how it is actually used.    

The research reveals clear differences in safety perception between men and women, as well as how these perceptions influence their behaviour. As a result, social safety should not be seen as a secondary consideration, but as a quiet and structural performance‑defining factor for buildings and urban areas.  

Key insights from the research

  1. Safety is one of the most important characteristics of a building. 
    Almost two thirds of people in the Netherlands cite a sense of safety as an important aspect of a building and its immediate surroundings. 
  2. Women attach greater importance to safety than men. 
    71% of women identify safety as an important characteristic of a building, compared to 60% of men. 
  3. Perceived safety influences behaviour. 
    When people feel unsafe, they adjust their behaviour. For example, 66% say they become more alert when they feel less safe in a particular location. 
  4. A stronger sense of safety can increase the use of places. 
    Around one third of people in the Netherlands who sometimes feel unsafe indicate that they would also visit a location at other times if they felt completely safe there. In addition, some respondents say they would stay longer or return more frequently. 
  5. Design and management play a key role. 
    Users identify factors such as visibility, lighting, maintenance and the presence of staff as important elements influencing their sense of safety.