Parks for Whom? Social Vulnerability, Fear of Crime, and Positive Behaviour in Urban Parks

Urbanisation has intensified population density, socioeconomic inequality and urban crime, increasing the need for safe and inclusive parks that foster urban social–ecological resilience. This study surveyed 610 residents in Lanzhou, China, and integrated the theory of planned behaviour with flow theory to examine the influence of attitudes towards park environment and management on fear of crime, flow experience and recommendation and revisit intentions. Gender and socioeconomic status (SES) were key concerns. The findings show that lower fear of crime and stronger flow experience are jointly associated with behavioural intentions through serial mediation. Flow, in this security context, reflects balanced immersion supported by visibility, management and natural surveillance. The study identifies ‘double vulnerability’, where low-SES females show heightened crime sensitivity and weakened behavioural intentions.