Daily walks are recommended for health gains, and walkable urban environments are recommended as one strategy to combat climate change. Evidence of the relationship between physical environments and psychological health is increasing. The aim of this study was to systematically review and compile evidence regarding micro-scale characteristics in urban outdoor environments that impacted pedestrian short-term experience and/or long-term psychological health. The databases ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, PsychInfo, and Google Scholar were used. To explore the area, a large heterogeneity in publications was allowed; therefore, it was not possible to conduct a meta-analysis. From 63 publications, data items were extracted from full text and categorized according to the main study characteristics. Environmental characteristics impacting pedestrians psychologically were identified and categorized into themes: grey, green, blue, and white areas, and weather, temporalities, topography, person factors, and safety. Environmental factors were analyzed from the perspective of the circumplex model of human affect (negative/positive dimensions and activation/deactivation). The findings included the fact that urban pedestrians need both positively activating and deactivating (restorative) areas during walkabouts. Perceived safety is essential for experiencing the positive aspects of urban environments. Some characteristics interact differently or have different importance for health in different groups. To further develop research on pedestrian environments, psychological experiences should be included.

This study assesses patterns of victimisation and safety perceptions among passengers using railway stations across neighbouring municipalities in Sweden. Exploratory data analysis and logistic regression models underlie the methodology of the study, which shows that the geography of passengers’ victimisation differs from the geographical patterns found for the perception of safety. Findings show that passengers’ safety perceptions are more affected by the physical and social characteristics of transit environments than passengers’ victimisation. Yet, for those who have reduced mobility, the station affects the likelihood of their being victimised. Lack of staff and poor maintenance of the station are two significant attributes associated with the lower levels of safety perceived by passengers as well as levels of crime and panhandling at both the station and on the way to it. Compared with all passengers, women, but in particular those who identify as LGBTQI+ /Non-binary/Other, run a higher likelihood of feeling less safe. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.

The aim of this chapter is to examine the influence of characteristics of both the physical and social environment on victimisation and safety perceptions of those individuals who use railway stations. For this investigation, we examine the influence of physical and social environment characteristics in different transportation settings after controlling for the individual characteristics of the travellers. We created a geodatabase across the study area to execute the analysis. Findings show that environmental factors have a role to play in shaping both risks of victimisation and safety perceptions in train stations and their surrounding areas. Poor illumination, lack of CCTV cameras, inadequate station maintenance, and the presence of drug-related activities contribute to heightened vulnerability and insecurity for passengers. Well-maintained stations with proper lighting, clear signage, and social amenities such as cafés enhance feelings of safety by fostering social interaction and surveillance. Addressing these environmental factors through targeted interventions can significantly improve transit safety, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, LGBTQI + individuals, young passengers, nighttime travellers, and those with mobility limitations.

Stations are more than just transportation hubs; they are places of convergence, settings that create both opportunities and challenges for safety. As cities grow, the design, management, and social dynamics of stations assume central importance when it comes to ensuring the well-being of those who use them. However, not all areas experience such growth, and some transport nodes may become isolated spots with low passenger volumes, which can impact safety conditions, both in terms of victimisation and safety perceptions. This chapter reviews the recent literature on transit safety in varied contexts, focusing on stations as key transit nodes. Topics of interest include victimisation and its determinants and impacts, situationally risky conditions for crime, examples of interventions, and the possible role of technology in ensuring safety in transit environments. Finally, the chapter also examines how victimisation and safety perceptions fluctuate over time and how these variations differ across various traveller groups.

A safe public transportation system is essential for a sustainable future. Drawing on examples from Sweden and beyond, this chapter explores how future railway station designs are being planned to enhance accessibility and safety. We apply foresight strategies to anticipate future trends, external change drivers, opportunities, and risks. Considering diverse transit users, this discussion is intended to set the foundation for sustainable urban mobility in different contexts. These efforts align with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), by promoting safer, more inclusive public transport environments.