Evaluating the Role of Physical Indicators of Neighborhoods on Citizens’ Sense of Security: A Case Study of Alishtar City

Document Type : Origional Article

Authors

1 PhD Candidate, Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Humanities, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

2 PhD Candidate, Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Humanities, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract
Today, the expansion of urbanization and the city becoming the primary habitat for humans have led to urban planners focusing mainly on enhancing the quality of urban life in all its dimensions. Among these, one of the most crucial dimensions is fostering a sense of security in urban spaces, which has always played a significant role as a psycho-social phenomenon in citizens’ experience of the urban environment. Therefore, appropriate planning to increase urban security is an undeniable necessity in urban planning.Consequently, the main objective of the present research is to examine the extent to which physical factors and neighborhood structures influence citizens’ sense of security in Alashtar city, and to propose solutions for eliminating insecurity factors and enhancing citizens’ sense of security. Thus, the research method is descriptive-analytical, based on a questionnaire with a sample size of 384 individuals, selected using the random cluster sampling method.Furthermore, 9 components were used to assess citizens’ sense of security, and 19 components were used to examine the physical factors. For analyzing the obtained data in both statistical and graphical sections, SPSS and GIS software were utilized.The research findings indicated that the sense of security at the neighborhood level in Alashtar city is at a low level (t = -15.43). In terms of the scores for physical security indicators as well (-1.428), the city is in an unfavorable condition. Therefore, it can be stated that there is a significant relationship between physical factors and citizens’ sense of security in Alashtar city, and the physical conditions have proven effective in influencing the level of citizens’ sense of security.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 22 May 2026

  • Receive Date 24 April 2025
  • Revise Date 19 July 2025
  • Accept Date 02 October 2025
  • First Publish Date 03 October 2025
  • Publish Date 22 May 2026