Perceptions and preferences of experienced security in mass urban events – What's technology got to do with it?

Abstract

Mass spectator events are part of contemporary urban life, and security issues are increasingly integral to them. Most of the related research has focused on security management and technological development. However, prior studies have shown that subjectively experienced security plays an elemental role in urban life. We present an explanatory study of 880 participants' perceptions and preferences of security and technology usage in spectator events in our online survey in December 2021. The context of the study was Finnish ice hockey games held in a new sports/multi-purpose arena. Results indicate that gender, age and familiarity impact the eventgoer's preferences and security experience. Experienced security is also found to be connected to the ease and flow of interaction with technology and urban space. We conclude with recommendations that recognise the complexity of event security in urban settings without compromising the needs of different spectator groups.