Social safety plays a significant role in how people use buildings and public spaces. New Savills research among more than 1,300 Dutch respondents shows that nearly two‑thirds consider safety an important characteristic of a building and its immediate surroundings. When people feel less safe in a particular location, they tend to adjust their behaviour by leaving earlier, avoiding certain areas, or visiting a place at different times of the day. According to Savills, the research demonstrate that perceived safety is not only a social issue but also directly influences how buildings and areas function.

“Social safety not only affects how people experience a building, but also how buildings are used, by whom, and at what times,” says Charlotte de Mos, Head of Data, Intelligence & Strategy at Savills Netherlands. “When part of the user group feels less safe, this may lead to shorter dwell times, reduced use of amenities, or lower levels of activity at certain timesof day.”

Safety perception shapes behaviour
The results show that people adapt their behaviour when they feel unsafe. Those who occasionally feel unsafe in a location often become more alert, approximately two‑thirds of this group say they are more vigilant. People also choose alternative routes, avoid certain places, or leave earlier than they would ideally prefer.

The findings also suggest that perceptions of safety can influence when people visit a location. Of the Dutch respondents who say they sometimes feel unsafe in a particular place, around one third indicate that they would visit the same location at different times of the day if they felt completely safe.

This is particularly relevant in retail environments and mixed‑use areas, where such behavioural shifts may influence dwell time, the use of facilities, and activity patterns throughout the day.

Differences between men and women
The research reveals clear differences in safety perception between user groups. Women are more likely than men to identify safety as an important characteristic of a building: 71% compared with 60%. The differences become more pronounced after dark. For example, 78% of men report feeling safe at a location after dark, compared with 52% of women. When visiting a location alone after dark, the gap widens further: 75% of men say they feel safe, compared with 42% of women.

Role of design and management
Dutch respondents indicate that spatial design and management factors play an important role in how safe they feel. Good lighting, clear sightlines, well‑maintained environments, and the visible presence of staff or supervision are frequently mentioned as contributing positively to a sense of safety.

Many respondents also view these aspects as the responsibility of property owners and developers, indicating that social safety is not only a matter of public order, but also a topic that can be actively influenced through design, management, and programming of buildings and areas.

“When a location is designed in such a way that users with a higher safety threshold also feel comfortable, the overall quality of use can improve for a broader group,” De Mos adds.

Implications for real estate practice
According to Savills, considering gender differences can help real estate owners and developers understand where usage potential remains untapped and where ‘safety dips’ occur, particularly in transition zones and at moments when people are alone or when it is dark.

Based on the research, Savills identifies four key considerations:

1. Measure and assess safety perception per user group.
   Explicitly map differences between user groups, for example by gender and time of use (daytime/evening), and adapt design and management interventions accordingly.
   
   
2. Design for visibility and clarity.
   Open sightlines, clear signposting, and strong lighting are frequently mentioned as factors that improve perceived safety.
   
   
3. Strengthen social presence and approachability.
   The presence of staff or supervision, as well as ‘eyes on the street’ (for example, through active ground floors or programming), supports social control, particularly during quieter periods.
   
   
4. Integrate social safety into management and programming. Good maintenanceand activity at multiple times of the day help keep locations comfortable and accessible for a wider range of users, beyond peak hours.

Social safety as part of ESG
The research aligns with the growing emphasis on the social dimension of ESG within the real estate sector. Municipalities and investors increasingly set requirements concerning inclusivity and quality of stay within area developments. According to Savills,a better understanding of perceived safety can help strengthen the social value of buildings and urban areas. The research shows that social safety is widely perceived as part of the social value of buildings and areas. 39% of respondents explicitly identify a stronger sense of safety as a key contributor to the social value of a location.

About the research
The study comprises a nationwide survey of more than 1,300 respondents in the Netherlands, conducted in collaboration with research agency Ipsos I&O. The sample is weighted by gender, age, education level, and region, and is therefore representative of the Dutch population. Additionally, 40 interviews and onsite observations were conducted in Amsterdam’s Zuidas to deepen the insights. The new report builds on Savills’ earlier research Invisible Women in Real Estate and examines how perceptions of safety relate to behaviour and the use of buildings and areas.

Read the full report here.