Spatial analysis of unsafe areas in molavi neighborhood of qazvin city based on the analytic network process (ANP) and geographic information system (GIS)

Ghiasvand, Fatemeh; Babakhani, Maliheh; Yazdan Panah Shahabadi, Mohammadreza

doi:10.22034/uep.2025.556460.1759

Spatial analysis of unsafe areas in molavi neighborhood of qazvin city based on the analytic network process (ANP) and geographic information system (GIS)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Fatemeh Ghiasvand ¹

Maliheh Babakhani ²

Mohammadreza Yazdan Panah Shahabadi ³

¹ Master of Science in Urban Planning, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran

³ Assistant Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

10.22034/uep.2025.556460.1759

Abstract

Ensuring environmental security in urban contexts, particularly in neighborhoods with deteriorated fabric, is a fundamental component for improving urban quality of life and preventing spaces from becoming crime hotspots. This is a fundamental necessity in the urban planning and management process and plays an important role in creating a sense of security, social sustainability, and increasing the desirability of public spaces. This research, using a quantitative method and focusing on practical results, aims to provide a precise and operational analytical framework. The main goal of this research is a comprehensive spatial analysis and prioritization of unsafe urban spaces. The study area of this research is the Molavi neighborhood of Qazvin, which is one of the sensitive urban contexts that requires targeted intervention in environmental security. To achieve this goal, researchers developed an advanced analytical framework that integrated analytic network process (ANP) and spatial analysis of the Geographic Information System (GIS), with the Fuzzy ANP method. The results of the ANP analysis showed that, among the three main criteria for determining unsafe spaces in the neighborhood, “function” had the highest priority (0.488), followed by “physical form” (0.308) and “environmental quality” (0.204). Among the sub-criteria, “neighborhood blind spots” (0.223) and “insufficient lighting” (0.213) had the highest weights, while “inconsistent walls” (0.001) had the least importance in intensifying the feeling of insecurity. The Fuzzy ANP spatial analysis showed that most unsafe spaces were concentrated in the central, western, and southwestern parts of the Molavi neighborhood. This analysis clearly revealed the spatial heterogeneity in the distribution of security in the Molavi neighborhood. Insecurity hotspots were systematically associated with structural weaknesses in the physical form of the neighborhood (passages with inappropriate geometry and blind spots), lack of social supervision by residents, lack of lighting, the presence of abandoned buildings, and the management-development gap of the neighborhood, which practically removed these areas from the circle of attention and effective urban planning interventions. Finally, according to the map of unsafe spaces, the neighborhood was zoned into three security levels: ‘weak’, ‘medium’, and ‘high’ to formulate targeted intervention strategies. Key suggested solutions include: increasing social surveillance in the neighborhood (through mixing local uses and designing pause spaces in the neighborhood), emphasizing active and adaptive lighting, using high-resolution cameras and night vision, and employing modern security technology such as a WebGIS-based continuous monitoring system and smart cameras (equipped with analytical capabilities). These solutions offer a practical tool for urban designers and planners to take an effective step towards enhancing neighborhood security by targeting areas prone to crime.

Keywords

ANP network analysis

Environmental security

Fuzzy ANP spatial analysis

Molavi Neighborhood

Qazvin city

20.1001.1.28212118.1405.7.4.8.0

Subjects

Urban planning

Afsari R., Behzadfar M., & Kheiruddin R. (2021). Explaining the Process of Formation and Evolution of Spatial Security in Informal Settlements (Case Study: Iranian Cities). Journal of Research in Urban Planning Geography, 1(9). https://doi.org/10.22059/JURBANGEO.2021.318349.1452 [In Persian]
Babaei Mohammadi M., Naseri S., & Shafa’ati M. (2023). Identifying the Factors that Make Women Feel Insecure in the 19th District of Tehran and Ways to Improve Security. Journal of Social Order, 15(1): 55–88. https://doi.org/10.22034/entezam.2023.1270621.2450 [In Persian]
Brown, I., Dike, E.C., & Chikagbum, W. (2015). Physical planning: A panacea for urban security challenges in Port Harcourt Municipality. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 6(10), 215–226. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283255760
Cozens, P. (2008). Crime Prevention through Environmental Design. In R. Wortley & L. Mazerolle (Eds.), Environmental Criminology and Crime Analysis (pp. 131–150). Willan Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1108/02637470510631483
Farid Tehrani, S. (2011). Fear in Public Space. Armanshahr Publication, Tehran. [In Persian]
Gau, J.M., Corsaro, N., & Brunson, R. K. (2014). Revisiting broken windows theory: A test of the mediation impact of social mechanisms on the disorder–fear relationship. Journal of Criminal Justice, 42, 579–588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2014.09.006
Gholamhosseini, R. (2012). Investigating Appropriate Lighting Solutions for Public Spaces to Increase Urban Security (Case Study: Lighting in Crime Hotspots in District 6 of Tehran) [Master’s thesis, University of Zanjan, Faculty of Humanities]. https://elmnet.ir/doc/10613615-81125 [In Persian]
Hamedani A. H., Majedi H., & Jahanshahlou L. (2015). Investigating the Effective Criteria for Increasing the Level of Women’s Activity in Urban Spaces (Case Study: Poonak Neighborhood, 20 Meteri Golestan, in Tehran). Quarterly Journal of Urban Studies, 14(4). https://urbstudies.uok.ac.ir/article_13007.html?lang=en [In Persian]
Heshmati M. (2003). Defensible Space – Urban Design Strategy for Crime Prevention and Reduction [Master’s thesis], Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran. [In Persian]
Homafar, Z., & Seifi Sasansara, A. (2022). Identifying unsafe public spaces in urban neighborhoods and redesigning them with the approach of improving environmental security (Case study: Narmak, Sangalaj, Kagarshamali, and Bagh Shater Neighborhoods of Tehran). Urban Economics and Planning, 4(3): 72–87. https://doi.org/1360.389188.2023.UEP/22034.1 [In Persian]
Jacobs, J. (2007). The death and life of great American cities. (H. Parsi & A. Aflatoni, Trans.). University of Tehran. (Original work published 1961). https://www.petkovstudio.com/bg/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/The-Death-and-Life-of-Great-American-Cities_Jane-Jacobs
Kamran H., & Shoa Barabadi A. (2009). Investigating Security in Border Cities: A Case Study of Taybad City. Journal of Geography, 25: 25–46. https://sid.ir/paper/150228/en [In Persian]
Karimi M., Siavashpor B., & Abroon, A. S. (2025). Identification and Prioritization of Physical-Spatial Indices: Golestan Neighborhood Safety (Sabzevar). Journal of Geography and Urban Research, 1(1): 17–30. https://doi.org/10.22130/gur.2025.720776 [In Persian]
Kiani A., SalariSardari F., Beiranvandzadeh M., & Darvishi H. (2013). Analysis and Prioritization of Environmental Security Strategies in the Urban Spaces of Zabol. Journal of Geographical Studies of Arid Regions, 13(4): 107–126.  https://jargs.hsu.ac.ir/article_161342_5be65dbbabe6136053e12fb7f9b36f00.pdf?lang=en [In Persian]
Mohammadi A., Firouzi Mejandeh E., & Arzhangi H. (2019). The Zoning of Defenseless Spaces and Prone Areas of Crime in the City of Ardabil. Research in the Geography of Urban Planning, 4(7): 785–809. https://doi.org/10.22059/JURBANGEO.2019.281137.1103 [In Persian]
Mohseni R. A. (2009). Sociological Analysis of Social Security and Its Role in Reducing Crime and Social Harms. Quarterly Journal of Police Order and Security, 2(4). https://sid.ir/paper/188868/fa [In Persian]
Mostofi al-Mamalaki R., & Bahrami F. (2014). Investigating Environmental Crime Prevention Strategies Using the CPTED Approach. Khorasan Razavi Police Science Quarterly. https://ensani.ir/file/download/article/1615375462-10149-17-24.pdf [In Persian]
Motamedi M. (2014). The Role of Security in Urban Development and the Impact of Border Cities on Providing the Borders Security. Indian Journal of Fundamental and Applied Life Sciences, 4(3): 851–860. https://www.cibtech.org/sp.ed/jls/2014/03/JLS-111-S3-078-MOTAMEDI-THE-SECURITY.pdf [In Persian]
Nazarian A., Ziari Y., & Khazaei N. (2013). A Study of Environmental Criminology Theories in Relation to Crime Prevention in Urban Environments. Humanities Research, University of Isfahan, 4(21): 47–68. http://noo.rs/t1LxM [In Persian]
Newman, O. (1973). Design guidelines for creating defensible space. University of Minnesota. https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/148313NCJRS.pdf
Nicolini, E. (2024). Urban safety, socio-technical solutions for urban infrastructure: Case studies. Buildings, 14(6), 1754. DOI: 10.3390/buildings14061754
Piroozfara P., Farr E. R., Aboagye-Nimo E., & Osei-Berchie J. (2019). Crime Prevention in Urban Spaces Through Environmental Design: A Critical UK Perspective. Cities, 95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2019.102377 [In Persian]
Pourjafar M. R., Mahmoudinejad H., Rafiian M., & Ansari M. (2008). Enhancing Environmental Security and Reducing Urban Crimes with Emphasis on the CPTED Approach. International Journal of Engineering Sciences, Iran University of Science and Technology, 6: 73–82. https://www.sid.ir/paper/65464/fa [In Persian]
Rafifah F., & Tarigan S. G. (2023). Study of Accessibility and Territoriality in CPTED Application in Residential (Case Study: BB Apartment and Rusun Apron, Greater Jakarta). In International Conference on Social Design Proceedings (Vol. 1, pp. 1–10). https://eprints.upj.ac.id/id/eprint/2756/1/2. abstract.pdf [In Persian]
Sakip, S. R. M., & Abdullah, A. (2012). Measuring crime prevention through environmental design in a gated residential area: A pilot survey. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 42: 340–349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.04.197
Schoberleitner, S. (2022). An exploration of planning opportunities with a gender perspective to encourage urban safety [Master’s thesis], University of Art and Industrial Design, Linz, Austria. https://projects.arch.chalmers.se/wpcontent/uploads/2022/06/schoberleitnersarah_46204_2192803_Schoberleitner_Sarah_MTBooklet_2022.pdf
Su, N., Li, W., & Qiu, W. (2023). Measuring the associations between eye-level ban design quality and on-street crime density around New York subway entrances. Habitat International, 131, 102728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2022.102728