Motaleate Shahri

Urban Planning

Investigating and Measuring Security and Safety in the Urban Environment- Case Study of Ardabil City

esmail Dalir; Morad Nasiri; Saman Abizadeh; Masoomeh Amoozadeh

Volume 15, Issue 59 , August 2026, , Pages 37-54

https://doi.org/10.22034/urbs.2026.144636.5217

Abstract

HighlightsSignificant spatial inequality in urban safety exists across Ardabil, with District 3 ranked highest and District 5 lowest.Social trust, building quality, and sense of place are the strongest determinants of urban safety.Physical and social factors exert greater influence than technological ... Read More HighlightsSignificant spatial inequality in urban safety exists across Ardabil, with District 3 ranked highest and District 5 lowest.Social trust, building quality, and sense of place are the strongest determinants of urban safety.Physical and social factors exert greater influence than technological and managerial indicators.An integrated, multi-dimensional policy approach is essential to address the interplay of physical, social, economic, environmental, and governance factors in urban safety. IntroductionUrban safety and security are multidimensional and key phenomena in urban studies. A safe city is one that, while reducing physical and psychological threats, provides the basis for promoting the sustainable well-being and security of its citizens. In examining the relationship between safety and the urban environment, two basic dimensions can be considered: the social dimension, encompassing behavioral and institutional aspects, and the structural dimension, encompassing physical and spatial characteristics related to urban safety and security. From this perspective, urban safety requires the simultaneous analysis of physical, social, service-related, and perceptual indicators. Safety assessment in urban environments is also commonly conducted based on two categories of criteria: objective criteria, such as crime statistics, accident rates, and infrastructure quality, and subjective criteria, including citizens’ perceptions of safety, in which factors such as lighting, visibility, and social cohesion play important roles. In addition, indicators such as the quality of green spaces, air pollution, access to health services, employment opportunities, and the level of preparedness for natural disasters can also influence urban safety. Overall, the combination of these indicators and their comprehensive analysis provides a more accurate understanding of the state of urban safety and security.Theoretical FrameworkStudies in the field of urban social geography indicate that urban safety and the quality of the urban environment are directly related. Urban safety encompasses the reduction of violence, crime, corruption, natural disasters, and accidents. Urban safety indicators include physical-spatial dimensions (land-use mix, building quality, and street lighting), social dimensions (citizen participation and trust, and social cohesion), economic dimensions (wealth distribution and access to opportunities), environmental dimensions (green spaces, pollution, and flooding), and infrastructural and technological dimensions (CCTV cameras, digital security, and smart systems). Theories and approaches in this field address objective and subjective factors (fear of crime and the broken windows theory), environmental design (CPTED, defensible space, and crime prevention through urban design), social activities (everyday activities and participatory security), new and digital technologies (smart cities and digital security), environmental factors (risks and environmental quality), and comprehensive approaches (social order, spatial justice, third places, the right to the city, and human-centered safety). These theories emphasize that urban safety is a multidimensional phenomenon and that improving it requires the simultaneous integration of physical, social, economic, environmental, and technological indicators.MethodologyThis study employed a descriptive-analytical approach to identify key urban safety variables across physical-spatial, social, economic, environmental-infrastructural, and technological-managerial dimensions. Primary data were collected through field surveys using a structured questionnaire administered to 383 residents of Ardabil aged 15–65 years, selected through stratified random sampling. Expert evaluations (n = 10) were conducted using the snowball sampling method to assign weights to the indicators. The data were analyzed using SPSS, and a combined WASPAS and TOPSIS approach was applied to rank the five urban districts based on their levels of safety and security, allowing for a nuanced assessment of the relative influence of each variable.Results and DiscussionThe findings of this study indicate significant variations in urban safety and security across the districts of Ardabil. According to the ranking, Districts 3, 1, 2, 4, and 5 showed descending levels of urban safety. TOPSIS analysis identified the key influencing factors in order of importance as follows: social trust, building quality, sense of place, street lighting, wealth distribution, access to employment, green space quality, CCTV coverage, flood safety, civic participation, land-use mix, access to healthcare, air and noise pollution, access to online urban services, and smart traffic management. Social factors (trust, participation, and sense of place) had the greatest influence, followed by physical-environmental factors, while managerial and technological factors had the least influence. Overall, urban safety in Ardabil reflects the interplay of social capital, built-environment quality, and urban governance, highlighting the need for an integrated, multi-dimensional planning approach.ConclusionThe study revealed that urban safety in Ardabil is unevenly distributed across districts, with social factors such as trust, participation, and sense of place playing the most decisive roles, followed by physical-environmental conditions, while managerial and technological indicators showed weaker influence. These findings highlight that urban safety is not solely the outcome of policing but also results from the interaction among social capital, the built environment, and governance. Therefore, adopting an integrated and multi-dimensional approach is essential to improving urban safety and equity across the city.

Urban Architecture

Analysis of Urban Park Space in Terms of Criminology through “Space Syntax” Technique (Case Study: Laleh Park in Tehran)

y p; A H

Volume 6, Issue 22 , May 2017, , Pages 15-26

Abstract

Functional quality of cumulative spaces is special to environmental and urban design. In line with improvement of functional quality of these urban places, it is important to take security elements into account. These elements include both objective and subjective indicators. The absence of these components ... Read More Functional quality of cumulative spaces is special to environmental and urban design. In line with improvement of functional quality of these urban places, it is important to take security elements into account. These elements include both objective and subjective indicators. The absence of these components in such spaces with unlimited users affects their overall performance. The aim of this study is to examine some visual or skeletal components in one of these communal spaces, i.e. parks. To validate research findings and user preferences, subjective factors (users’ perception of space) will also be evaluated. In this research, the objective quality of space will be assessed through space syntax indices following the characteristics of the space syntax theory which investigates the physical parameters of space. Other research tools include field research (environmental and field data), questionnaires, interviews and researchers’ observations. The subjective and perceptual characteristics of users in terms of “security” are hereby placed under investigation. After stating the problem and introducing Space Syntax theory in the environment analysis, this paper tries to analyze the issue of crime hotspots (security or lack of security) in the environment regardless of the effective factors on the users’ perceptions (first step). After analyzing the issue by this method, the survey strategy was used to validate the obtained results and to adapt them to the views of space users (second step). To achieve the objectives of the research, after the introduction of research tools, the total area of the park was determined by syntax factors and then open questionnaires, field observations and cognitive maps were used. The results showed that the population of the research avoided some parts of the park due to different subjective reasons. In some cases, environmental quality and, in some other cases, subjective characteristics of the environment were effective on creating a sense of insecurity with the space. Ultimately, it seems that subjective factors have priority over environmental indicators in selecting a space. Other important results of the research are as follows: - The central area of the park seems to be desirable. This is because of its shallow depth and lack of permeability as well as the low level of monitoring due to the structural and skeletal features of the environment. - A favorable environment in urban parks in terms of security is a place which has relatively large terraces with few wide passageways without any deadlock. - Safe spaces in parks have proper lighting. Accordingly, there should be no tall and broadleaf trees in the main communication areas, especially on the passageways, so that they would not block lighting in the night. - When these spaces have innovative design features and create the subjective sense of belonging to the place in people, even in the absence of some objective characteristics of a safe environment, they will lead to increased usability of the environment, socialization of the space and thereby maintaining a desired level of security in the environment.

Urban Design

Recognition of Environmental attributes contributing to women’s’ Security in Urban Spaces (Case Study: Makhsus and Salamat Neighborhoods, Tehran’s 11th Region)

Volume 6, Issue 21 , February 2016, , Pages 77-91

Abstract

Security is a basic and fundamental human need rights. In other words, security is the essence of survival and the basis of the collective life and the establishment of small communities and cities. It is so significant that Islam clearly stressed its importance. In addition, security has two important ... Read More Security is a basic and fundamental human need rights. In other words, security is the essence of survival and the basis of the collective life and the establishment of small communities and cities. It is so significant that Islam clearly stressed its importance. In addition, security has two important aspects which are the objective and subjective (the feeling and perception of security) aspects. One of the factors affecting the feeling and perception of safety and security is the personal and individual characteristics. Based on this issue, women (who are among the most vulnerable groups) were chosen as the target group of this research. As urban areas are the bed and place of the city interactions, they should be able to provide the safety and security of the users. If one area is unsafe or unsecure, people do not spend much of their time in that area and this causes the loss of liveliness and turns that area into a dead and inactive one. Women inability in using the urban areas only because such areas are insecure is somewhat against the principles of social justice due to which being able to use the urban areas with safety and security is one of the basic rights of the citizens. Obviously, the first step for making urban spaces secure and safe is recognizing the contributing factors on fear of crime. A noticeable proportion of these factors is related to the environmental attributes on the grounds that some physical characteristics may make the space ready and suitable for criminal acts and encourage the offenders for offences. In regards the effect of the environment specifications on people’s behavior, feeling and perception, in this study, finding the environmental effective specifications on women’s feeling and perception of safety and security is investigated. In fact, this research aims to obtain the answer to the question of what qualified urban space specifications lead to a sense of security and safety by women. First, existing literature of the research topic and the related hypotheses was studied and then the conceptual framework of the research (environmental effective specifications on women’s feeling and perception of security) was developed. Thereafter, the mentioned framework in the area of Makhsus and Salamat neighborhoods (as the case study area of this research) was experimented on. A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods were applied through such techniques as field surveys, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and questionnaires. In addition, different statistical methods were applied in order to analyze the data The findings of the research illustrate an obvious relationship between the form, activity and meaning of environment with women’s feeling and perception of security in urban areas. In other words, the confusion and chaos in each one of these 3 parameters can cause a level of anxiety, stress or fear in women.

Urban Design

Formulating the sidewalk design principles with emphasis on increased Urban Security (Case Study: Golestan Boulevard in Ahwaz)

neda khaziri afravi

Volume 4, Issue 15 , August 2015, , Pages 69-82

Abstract

Security is one of the factors improving the quality of urban spaces. Desirable and functional design of constructed space leads to reduction of crime and increase of urban space quality. A secure urban space encourages appropriate activities and limits inappropriate activities; hence, these urban spaces ... Read More Security is one of the factors improving the quality of urban spaces. Desirable and functional design of constructed space leads to reduction of crime and increase of urban space quality. A secure urban space encourages appropriate activities and limits inappropriate activities; hence, these urban spaces as well as their type will affect the rate of occurrence of crime and violence in the city. By increasing the presence and supervision of citizens, the level of social interaction in urban spaces increases and security would therefore be added to the environment as well. One of the main aims of creating security is promotion of quality in the field of urban spaces. Desirable and functional design of constructed spaces leads to an increase in the number of citizens present which results in a fall in crime rates and a rise in sidewalk quality. An urban physical structure aimed at creating interaction between humans and the environment is the latest approach for dealing with reduction of urban crimes in the form of physical and social dimensions. The impact of this approach is more evident in the formation of the framework and thus social functions and trends. The purpose of this study is the improvement of urban sidewalk quality in order to increase environmental security. Investigation of pedestrian security with a physical approach to the environment as well as the use of sidewalks by citizens is essential and necessary. In this regard, Golestan Boulevard in the city of Ahvaz, despite regional and trans-regional performance levels, suffers from lack of interaction and consequently lack of quality and security. Therefore, it is important to increase the presence of people in the urban flow of the city .The research method employed in this study is descriptive- correlation which has been extracted using a theoretical framework. Thus, after the division of space into three sequences and in accordance with the space criteria of each sequence described, the data matrix was drawn. After physical and functional analysis based on existing urban flows, the presence of people in this area was measured. For quantifying the amount of presence in the spaces, LOS or level of service was used. Accordingly, after collecting information regarding the presence of car users and pedestrians in the area by encoding the information, the amount of time spent in the urban space based on function and subsequent supervision by car users and pedestrians within the framework and micro and macro functions, was analyzed. Data collection was undertaken via interviews and field observations. The results of the compiled information based on the effects of one component of space (flow) on the other components (physical and functional), was reviewed which showed that the greater presence of people would improve urban space quality. Finally, factors increasing space security are presented.

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Keywords = Security

Investigating and Measuring Security and Safety in the Urban Environment- Case Study of Ardabil City

Abstract

Analysis of Urban Park Space in Terms of Criminology through “Space Syntax” Technique (Case Study: Laleh Park in Tehran)

Abstract

Recognition of Environmental attributes contributing to women’s’ Security in Urban Spaces (Case Study: Makhsus and Salamat Neighborhoods, Tehran’s 11th Region)

Abstract

Formulating the sidewalk design principles with emphasis on increased Urban Security (Case Study: Golestan Boulevard in Ahwaz)

Abstract