A Spanish study revealed that narrow pedestrian streets induce higher levels of stress in women compared to men, while men experience more stress in open spaces. This disparity is attributed to the different perceptions of safety between genders in various urban environments. The study was conducted at the University of Lleida and the Ebro Institute in the historical center of Lleida, Spain.
Published in the scientific journal "Cities," the study analyzes the extent to which emotions observed after specific events align with those experienced in particular locations, by measuring variations in heart rate, as stated by the University of Lleida in a release on Monday.
Researchers explain that the study can assist in identifying locations that inherently provoke emotional and psychological issues, aiming to improve public space design and make cities more welcoming. According to the university's statement, the study examined the feelings of fear elicited in certain public areas of the city, based on heart rate and participant experiences through mental maps and concise notes.
