A Security Evaluation of Metropolitan Environments

Security is one of the fundamental requirements of human society which has two dimensions: objective and subjective. The subjective dimension is related more to the social components and the objective aspect is related to the physical and skeletal components. Therefore, to enhance the overall security, it is necessary that these two dimensions must be given attention. In the process of proper modeling of urban environments, it is necessary to create some space to meet today's needs and also to possess the necessary elements for the realization of security (Kerir 1375 Hegira). The main objective of this study is to investigate the improved mechanisms of the security of the districts and identify the factors that affect the level of safety of the residents in Zahedan (area one), as well as, to leveling the security of the districts based on physical and functional parameters. Thus, after studying the theories, concepts, approaches, and international experiences, the concepts and parameters to measure the rate of security, and to identify the variables that affect the safety levels of security would be taken into consideration. Based on this, by creating an experimental model and measurement security the extent of the residents' security in physical and functional dimensions would be assessed. Then, the questionnaire techniques would be used to collect sample data. With the help of SPSS data were extracted and statistically were analyzed through Single Average Variance Analysis Test. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire was tested by using Alpha Cronbakh. Based on the findings of the major variables of the study, namely "functional dimension" and "physical dimension", with the depended variable of the rate of security of residents in Zahedan (area one), there has been a significant relationship. So, it can be said that the two independent variables, physical and functional, have straightforward relationship with the dependent variable of security. Also, it was found that from the two abovementioned indices, functional index has had the greatest impact on the increased sense of security. In analyzing the level of security in terms of physical and functional parameters, it was found that the highest level of security existed in district 7 of area one with an average of 4.26. The lowest level of security existed in district 4 of area one with an average of 3.30.


Introduction
Zahedan is the capital of Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran.It is located near Pakistan and Afghanistan.The demographics of Zahedan's inhabitants are largely ethnic Baluchi who speak the Baluchi language and Sistanis who speak Persian sistani.Zahedan is the main economic center of the region and home to many small-and medium-scale industries.Its main products include cotton textiles, woven and hand-knotted rugs, ceramics, processed foods, livestock feed, processed hides, milled rice, brick, reed mats and baskets.Although the surrounding area has many ancient sites, Zahedan itself developed mainly in the 20th century.Before being chosen as the provincial administrative center in the 1930s, Zahedan was a small village.Its population reached 17,500 by 1956 and increased more than fivefold to 93,000 by 1976.After 1980 large numbers of refugees fleeing the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan helped triple the population of Zahedan to more than 281,000 by 1986, a number which has since doubled again.At present close to 2 milion people live in Zahedan.In investigating the factors responsible for the creation of city and the reasons why human communities appeared first in the form of city, several theories have been presented.One of these theories considers the question of security and its safety aspects vital to the formation of city.After the centuries of the rise of the first urban communities and as a result of the extensive physical and demographic growth, cities are now entangled with new issues of different aspects of the citizens' lives.So, the urban security is one of the important issues in discussions on reforms, improvement of the urban environment, urban restructuring, and healthy environment.The factors that threaten the security of the cities or can reduce such security are many.Some of the urban areas can be regarded as one major factor which threatens the security of the cities.For example, dark passages, under the bridges, abandoned and empty fields nearby the residential areas, quiet and marginalized areas around the terminals, abandoned buildings, marginalized passages near the new settlements, are some defenseless places in the cities (Heshmati 1382: 50, Hegira).There are different criteria to identify and analyze the security measures across the cities; with respect to the physical, functional, and environmental components, there would be fluctuation.Therefore, this paper is trying to introduce and present the security analysis in terms of physical and functional indicators in urban areas especially in public places, to create a relaxed atmosphere away from social stigma, and to enhance environmental quality in Zahedan (area one) where in most places there are complex and disharmonized fabrics.There is a relation between security and understanding the levels of urban security in such areas.Hence, with a view of the importance of urban security as one of the fundamental requirements of urban life in improving the urban environments and also as a factor which increases or decreases the security of the places, these can be studied and classified (Adibi Saadinejad 1390: 5, Hegira).

Theoretical Foundations
From theoretical point of view, for the first time, the scientific study of "security" in urban environment can be found in Chicago School of Urban Ecology.The scientists at this school had examined the urban insecurity and crimes in urban environments of the different areas of the city with respect to physical and functional characteristics.They believed that the urban residents' behavior can be studied in the context of urban environment and that the social, economic and physical characteristics would leave their impacts on the insecurity of the region (Mousavi 1378: 92, Hegira).Jane Jacobs presents the theory of the security of urban environments (Pakzad, 1386: 131, Hegira).In Life and Death in the big cities of America, he points out the issue of security and the inhibitory factors in physical and urban environment and believes in "street" factor more than other factors in the creation of urban security (Jacobs, 1981: 132).According to Jacobs, factors such as, illuminated and controlled high-traffic locations, people's active participation, and big sidewalks or pavements, are effective in shaping a secure and safe urban environment.She proposes diversity in the streets (Kalantari, 1380: 31, Hegira).The CPTED theory (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design) which was published by Ray Jeffrey in 1971 studies the form and urban fabric and its relation to insecurity and urban crimes (Salehi, 1386: 24, Hegira).

2-1. Urban Security
Urban security means peace, confidence, and lack of threat and fear against public places, buildings, organizations, urban facilities and other important elements of urban living which are vital to the citizens (Rezvan, 1385: 57, Hegira).

2-2. Functional Security
Functional security means to achieve assurance in urban environment which would be resulted from social interactions and cultural exchanges among people with regard to the performed activities in the urban environment.With respect to the kind of environmental function this "achieved" security can have fluctuations (Taghvai, 1390: 67, Hegira).

2-3. Physical Security
As a result of efficiency and utility of the environment, citizens' comfort and satisfaction would be followed.This efficiency and utility of urban environment would be achieved through careful planning, deliberate designing, and adequate supervision.Urban environment and standing relationships in it are mutually connected together and affect each other (Sadiq Sarvestani, 1376: 76, Hegira).

2-4. Effect of Physical Indices on the Security of Public Spheres
A. Quality of the Pavements (sidewalks) The quality of the pavements or sidewalks is one of the factors that would promote mental and physical security of the pedestrians in a given place (Kashani Joe, 1385, Hegira).The sidewalks and pavements are the places where citizens frequent and participate collectively.Besides their role of facilitating communication and accessibility, the sidewalks also provide safe and comfortable situations for walk, social contacts, and other forms of ordinary entertainments (Mehdizadeh, 1379: 13, Hegira).

B. Urban Planning (furnishing)
It is a set of equipment and facilities which can increase the quality and performance of life in city and street.Streets, alleys, squares, parks and the whole city are the origins of the different kinds of urban furnishing (Rafieian, 1384: 15, Hegira).A good urban planning is one of the factors that would increase the presence of pedestrians in the city.It will result into more relationship among the people of the society and will lead to mental health and peace for citizens.Urban furnishing can include the following: light beams, benches, gardens, flooring, water fountains, trashes, parks, recreational facilities, etc. (Tavalaee, 1385: 18, Hegira).

C. Lighting (electric lights)
The presence of electric lights in the city, increasing importance of safety on the streets especially in busy parts, guidelines for the directions at intersections, crossroads, bridges, and buildings indicate the identity and importance of the location.The most important features of inappropriate behaviors and crimes occur in dark and in low lighting system.It is under such circumstances that offenders find opportunity and courage to commit criminal acts (Pordantchy, 1373, Hegira).In fact, the intention of lighting a city is to preserve the common good, safety, and welfare and security of the crossings, streets, squares, stations, and public properties (Modiri, 1385: 5, Hegira).

D. Open and close Environment
The people's efforts and tendencies are to master environment to feel peace and comfort.But, today, in large scales, people cannot master the environments.There is a separation between environments and the imaginations or mentalities of the people.Consequently, it has destroyed the sense of ownership both to the environment and to the location.A closed or open environment can affect the level of security.It is according to the level of permeability of the environment that the level of its security changes (Moradi, 1381: 13, Hegira).

2-5. Functional Indices of Security Analysis in Urban Environments
A. Cultural and Social Functions Apart from the construction of urban areas and physical appearance of the cities, every city requires a reasonable relationship between the natural and functional environments and the social and cultural status (Eftekhari, 1384, Hegira).Urban planners believe that cities should act as places of social and cultural cohesion so that the urban areas could provide the facilities of coexistence, cooperation, and peace for social life.The addition of broad and diverse cultural functions to the parks and other public spheres has increased the importance and status of culture in social life.(Ghesmi Shahgoldie, 1388: 132, Hegira).The poor cultural atmospheres in cities have reduced the quality of cultural and social indices.Consequently, these will lead to some major urban problems such as: unemployment, spread of crimes, unsafe neighborhoods, cultural misconducts, environmental pollution, and mistrust.The activities and entertainments such as, cinema, theater, exhibitions, street vendors, retailers, etc., which are factors for presence, interactions, and activities in urban environments, can be effective in increasing the urban security (Salehi, 1386: 24, Hegira).

B. Economic Functions -Services
The presence of variety of commercial applications and services in public places are of vital importance.The question "if these applications are compatible with their own environments", is one of the issues which has received the attention of urban planners.The unification of activities and placement of similar applications next to each other has led individuals to use of the places and facilities without confusion (Taherkhani, 1381, Hegira).Sometimes different usage of the existing facilities or places in a city can give life back to other parts of the city and as a result it can bring in safety and security to public places (Kerir, 1375, Hegira).Francis Tybaldz (urban planner and strategist) believes that the best urban areas are those where activities and applications are integrated.This will result into a diverse range of expertise.In other words, the zoning and the segregation of activities is the major cause of death of urban areas.Integration of activities/applications (if compatible) creates safe and dynamic environments both on the streets and at the single buildings and the reason for such attraction and public security is that it can invite different people at different times for different purposes.This will not only increase the mobility and dynamics of the environments, but also provides informal surveillance over the public areas (Tybaldz, 1383: 54, Hegria).
C. Recreational Functions -Sports Entertainments and sports are among some important factors which play significant roles in securing public places.The existence of sports facilities in public places such as parks can increase the presence of children and the youth and so can create the possibility of encouraging more families to visit such environments (Hosseini, 1387: 43, Hegira).The use of game entertainments and sports such as Chess, Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball, Football and Bodybuilding equipment in urban parks has caused not only vivacity but also has increased social and cultural interactions.This has resulted in less aggression and less social disorder and has increased the urban security (Ghesmi Shahgoldie, 1388: 64, Hegira).

The Situation of the Area under the Study
Zahedan is located in the province of Sistan va Baluchestan in southeast of Iran.It is bordering Afghanistan and Pakistan.Zahedan is the center of the province with an area of 5771 hectares and 1378 meters above the sea level.The area which Zahedan is situated on does not have identical topographical features.Hence, many urban problems are associated with the topographic of the region.Zahedan's topographic is mainly influenced by the surrounding mountains and vast plains (Siami, 1385: 78, Hegira).According to the detailed plan of the city in 1369 (Hegira), Zahedan was divided into 3 regions, 20 districts, and 85 localities (Mohandesin-e moshaver shahr va khaneh 1389, Hegira).The Area One of the city, with an approximate area of 1876/67 acres and a population of about 258,780, is located in the south and east of Zahedan.There are 9 districts including districts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 17, 18, 19, and 20 and totally there are 39 localities.One of the noted features of "area one" is the diversity of urban applications.Because of the credibility of these applications this area is the most strategic area of the city.In addition to their local and residential roles, the regions of the present study (in terms of size, location, and function) enjoy trans-regional functions.It is because of the existence of educational, commercial, medical, and health centers and their exposures to the main streets and communicative networks.This region is consists of both poor areas such as Shirabad with its special culture and features and of relatively well-off areas like Zibashahr.Thus, heterogeneity and lack of integrity in this region is quite evident.(Khajeh Deloei, 1386: 56, Hegira).

Results and Findings 5-1. First Hypothesis: Security in urban environment and physical parameters are related. Assessing the Level of Lightening on the Security of the Regions in Area One
According to the respondents, most of the lighting at night belongs to Area 7 namely in bazaar and city center with an average of 4.11 and the lowest rate of lighting at night belongs to Area 18 i.e., Zibashahr, with an average of 1.00.But, with the improvement of lighting conditions, increment of the quality and quantity of lighting, and by the continuity of lighting within the area under the study, there will be an increase in the existing physical security of the area.with an average of 3.40.Yet, better accessibility, improving the coverage, recovering and organizing the pavements/sidewalks/pathways and cobblestones will improve the existing physical security of the area.An Assessment of the Desolated and Abandoned Lands Over the Security of the Regions at Area One According to the respondents, the desolated and abandoned lands especially those located amid residential buildings have caused reduction in security of Area 18 (Zibashahr), with an average of 4.00.Whereas, the presence of desolated and abandoned lands did not cause much reduction in the security of Area 7 (city center); the average of this area has been 3.54.Thus, more constructions and development in and on abandoned lands will increase the level of physical security of the area.An average of the respondents' views in regard with the influence of physical parameters on the security of urban environment is 3.78.This is higher than the theoretical average which is 3.00.And, since the Level of Significance of the test is less than 0.05 (sig=0.000),so it may be said that the result can be generalized and the hypothesis of the researcher can be confirmed, meaning that physical parameters affect the safety of the urban environment.Assessment of Access to Public Services and Their role in the Security of the Regions at Area One According to the respondents, the highest level of influence of applications and services in securing the safety of the regions has been sensed in district 5 with an average of 4.40 and the lowest level of influence of such applications has been felt in district 4 (Karimabad) with an average of 3.77.Therefore, improving economic, administrative, and religious activities within these areas can increase the level of functional security.

Assessment of Recreational and Sport Functions over the Security of the Regions in Area One
According to the respondents, as a way to provide safe atmosphere, with an average of 4.25, district 5 has had the highest level of facilities to be used for leisure times, and with an average of 3.90, district 18 has had the lowest rate of facilities.It should be noted that with an increase in sport and recreational activities and with the establishment of cultural entities within these areas the level of functional security can be increased.Functional parameter of safety in the urban environment is 3.82.This is higher than the theoretical average which is 3.00.And, since the Level of Significance of the test T is less than 0.05 (sig=0.000),so it may be said that the result can be generalized and the hypothesis of the researcher can be confirmed, meaning that functional parameters affect the safety of the urban environment.

Figure 2 :
Figure 2: Levels of security in the districts of Area One in Zahedan

Table 1 :
Average lighting on the security of the regions of Area One

An Assessment of the Status of the Pavements/Sidewalks/Passages Over the Security of the Regions at Area One According
to the respondents, with regard to the security of the areas, covered pavements/sidewalks and cobblestone of the places are most effective in Area 7 (bazaar and city center) with an average of 4.25.With respect to the kind of covered pavements/sidewalks and cobblestone of the places, the lowest rate of security can be sensed in Area 3 (Shirabad),International Journal

Table 2 :
Average status of pavements/pathways/sidewalks over the security of the regions at

Table 3 :
An average of the number of the abandoned and desolated lands and their impact over the security of the regions at Area One

Table 4 :
Relationship between security in urban environment and physical parameters One-Sample Test

Table 5 :
Residents' average rate of access to the services and the security in the regions of Area

Table 6 :
Average of Recreational and Sport Functions over the Security of the Regions in Area

Studying the Impact of Public Facilities such as Schools in Securing Public Safety
According to the respondents, public facilities in district 18 has had the highest level of influence in securing public safety with an average of 4.50, whereas the lowest rate of influence of such facilities to safeguard public security has existed in district 4 with an average of 3.88.

Table 7 :
Average Impact of Public Facilities/Applications in the Security of the Districts Source:(Negarandegan 1392, Hegira)

. Third Hypothesis: In terms of Physical and Functional Parameters, Some Parts at the Area One in Zahedan enjoy Lesser Security
In analyzing the security level of the districts in Area One, the variance analysis test has been applied.The Level of Significance of this test is less than 0.05 (sig=0.000).Thus, it can be said that the average of districts at Area One in Zahedan have significant differences in terms of physical parameters.The highest rate of security belongs to district 7 of Area One with an average of 4.26.The lowest rate of security belongs to district 4 of Area One, with an average of 3.30.After that, other districts, from lowest rate of security to the highest rate, respectively are

Table 9 :
Security average level in districts of Area One in terms of physical parameters Source:(Negarandegan 1392, Hegira)