Izquierdo, L., Nawyn, J. & Larson, K. "Comparative assessment of women’s safety and mobility research methods in informal neighborhoods." npj Urban Sustain (2026).

Abstract

 This article examines women’s everyday mobility and experiences of insecurity in an informal neighborhood, comparing how different research methods capture these realities. The study was conducted in Lomas del Centinela, Mexico, and combines community-based approaches, such as participatory workshops and walk-alongs, with digital tools, including wearable sensors and mobile applications. The aim is to assess what each method contributes to understanding patterns of safety and mobility. The results reveal clear differences across approaches: real-time sensor data identified “fear hotspots” that did not appear in maps derived from collective memory, highlighting the limitations of relying solely on participatory workshops. The article offers a practical comparison of these tools, discusses their trade-offs in terms of cost, scalability, and contextual depth, and proposes a methodological framework to guide the combined use of different techniques depending on the context. By integrating qualitative and quantitative data, this framework supports more precise and actionable evidence for urban upgrading policies and concrete changes in public space.