Using walk-recordings and images: How Students experience safety m a city centre

Abstract

This paper reflects on using self-recorded walk and auto-photo-elicitation as qualitative methodological components in studying students sense of safety at night in a Central Business District {CBD) area of a regional city in Australia. 1 his paper documents the use and potential of self- recorded walks (S R If) auto-photo-elicitation based on a study on sense of safety at night in a city centre. Fifteen domestic and international students participated in the self recorded walks, taking photos while thy walked alone at night in selected sites. Participants made comments into hand-held voice recorders while walking as well as capturing scenes to express feelings of personal safety about their environment. The paper confirms the value of self-recorded walking and auto-photo-elicitation approaches as tools beyond traditional interviews and surveys to understand feelings of fear or safety associated with environmental and social clues in the urban fabric. The paper also documents achievements and constraints encountered by researchers/ investigators in carrying outfield research of this kind