Safetipin: Leveraging Technology to Advance Sustainable Development Goals in Urban Safety

Introduction

In the context of rapid urbanization and technological advancement, Safetipin, a mobile application developed in India, is revolutionizing urban safety by crowdsourcing real-time data on public spaces and lighting conditions. The app primarily addresses gender-based violence, aligning closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

Background and Development

Safetipin was conceptualized by Kalpana Viswanath, co-founder and CEO, whose extensive experience in urban safety informed the app’s design. The initiative emerged following increased awareness after the 2012 Nirbhaya case, highlighting the urgent need for safer public spaces in India. The app digitizes traditional Safety Audits, transforming them into an accessible and dynamic tool for public engagement and urban planning.

From Safety Audits to a Digital Lifeline

In 2013, Safetipin converted conventional Safety Audits into a mobile platform, enabling users to access and contribute safety data instantly. This crowdsourced model empowers communities to participate actively in assessing and improving urban safety, fostering inclusivity and accountability—key principles underpinning SDG 11 and SDG 16.

How the App Works

1. Accessibility: Available free on App Store and Google Play.
2. User Participation: Users conduct safety audits in their neighborhoods, workplaces, or travel destinations.
3. Data Collection: Observations include lighting, visibility, pedestrian accessibility, and other safety parameters.
4. Dynamic Safety Scores: Aggregated data produces real-time safety scores that update continuously.
5. Machine Learning Integration: Safetipin Nite analyzes street images at night to assess lighting and walkability.

This data-driven approach supports informed decision-making by citizens and policymakers, promoting safer urban environments and contributing to SDG 11’s target of inclusive and sustainable urbanization.

Driving Policy Change on the Ground

• Delhi Case Study: Identification of nearly 7,500 dark spots led to coordinated efforts reducing them to under 3,000, demonstrating technology-driven urban improvement.
• Chennai Intervention: Safety audits revealed disconnected transit areas; community engagement facilitated redesigns including child-friendly spaces.

These initiatives exemplify the integration of community data into urban policy, advancing SDG 16 by fostering inclusive decision-making and responsive governance.

Global Reach and Local Impact

Safetipin’s model has expanded beyond India, with adoption in cities such as Bogotá, Colombia, and Jakarta, Indonesia. The app’s translation and endorsement by local governments illustrate its adaptability and relevance to global urban safety challenges, supporting SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through international collaboration.

Empowering Low-Income Communities

• Focus on vulnerable neighborhoods like Delhi’s Madanpur Khada addresses compounded safety risks.
• Collaboration with local police enhances safe mobility, directly combating gender-based violence (SDG 5).
• Leadership development among young women conducting audits fosters social empowerment and community resilience.

This empowerment aligns with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by promoting equitable access to safe public spaces and social participation.

The Challenge of Policy Engagement

Despite the app’s success, integrating its data into formal urban planning faces challenges such as bureaucratic inertia and competing priorities. Safetipin continues to embed its data into live urban planning dashboards to maintain focus on gender and safety issues, advocating for sustained policy attention in line with SDG 16.

A Vision for the Future

Safetipin aims to expand its user base and partnerships with NGOs, academia, and governments worldwide. Its mission is to ensure that all women, regardless of economic status, have ownership of public spaces and live free from gender-based violence, directly supporting SDG 5 and SDG 11.

By promoting improved street lighting, transit connectivity, and inclusive urban design, Safetipin contributes to dismantling systemic inequities and fostering sustainable urban development.

Conclusion

Safetipin exemplifies how technology can be harnessed to achieve multiple Sustainable Development Goals by enhancing urban safety, empowering marginalized communities, and influencing policy change. Each safety audit and data point collected represents progress toward a future where fear no longer restricts women’s freedom, effectively remapping urban life for greater equity and security.

– Report compiled by Divya Beeram

Photo: Flickr

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article focuses on reducing gender-based violence and improving safety for women and marginalized genders in urban spaces.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Safetipin’s work on improving urban safety, lighting, walkability, and inclusive urban design directly relates to making cities safer and more inclusive.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
   • The app supports community engagement, accountability, and policy change to reduce violence and improve safety in public spaces.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in public and private spheres.
   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety.
   • Target 11.7: Provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible green and public spaces, particularly for women and vulnerable groups.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Safety Scores of Public Spaces
   • Aggregated data on lighting, visibility, pedestrian accessibility, and other safety parameters collected through the Safetipin app.
   • Dynamic safety scores that update based on crowdsourced user inputs and machine learning analysis.
2. Reduction in Dark Spots
   • Example given of Delhi where dark spots decreased from 7,500 to under 3,000, indicating improved urban safety infrastructure.
3. Community Engagement Metrics
   • Number of safety audits conducted by users, especially women from low-income communities.
   • Participation rates and leadership roles taken by community members in safety initiatives.
4. Policy Impact Indicators
   • Adoption of Safetipin data by local governments and integration into urban planning dashboards.
   • Changes in urban design and infrastructure based on app data (e.g., improved lighting, safer transit connectivity).

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: borgenmagazine.com