Safe City

Safe City

The role of safe city components in promoting urban governance in Khavaran and Marzdaran towns of Tabriz

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Ilk.C,, Islamic Azad University, Ilkhchi, Iran.
Abstract
In the present age, the concept of a safe city is recognized as one of the essential pillars in enhancing urban governance. The research methodology in this study is descriptive-analytical, where the factors influencing a safe city in improving urban governance in Tabriz were initially identified through the opinions of 25 specialists, professors, and experts in relevant organizations using the Delphi method. For data analysis, three components with 27 sub-components were identified as strong influencing factors in enhancing urban governance, and the impact analysis method was employed using the Micmac software, which serves as an effective tool in analyzing and modeling the relationships among different components of a safe city and their effects on urban governance. The results indicated that environmental components and their sub-components, including resilient and safe infrastructure, sustainable natural resource management, urban safety and security, etc., were the most influential factors in enhancing urban governance in the border towns of Marzdaran and Khavaran in Tabriz, with a score of 474. According to the results, environmental components with a score of 474, economic components with a score of 463, and social components with a score of 401 are effective in improving urban governance. Therefore, paying attention to these three components together can contribute to creating a safe city and, consequently, enhancing the quality of life for citizens and improving management processes in the city of Tabriz.
Introduction
One of the most important issues that has been considered by planners and urban managers in recent years for various reasons such as population density and a decrease in social interactions is the topic of safety in cities and for citizens. The existence of safety in urban environments is one of the essential requirements of quality of life. The safe city, as a central concept in urban design and planning, examines and evaluates the structures, services, and policies designed to reduce various risks and threats. In this context, multiple components such as optimal infrastructure, access to public services, social security, and active community participation in decision-making processes play a key role in enhancing quality of life and improving urban management. In the new areas of Tabriz, considering the rapid urbanization and the necessity of creating a suitable living space, the analysis and evaluation of these components, especially from a social and economic perspective, becomes particularly important. In other words, creating safe cities not only helps reduce vulnerability to natural and human disasters but also increases public trust in government institutions and accelerates and improves management processes. This means creating a safe and sustainable environment for citizens in the new areas of Tabriz, where everyone can easily benefit from facilities and services and participate in urban decision-making. This research aims to address the question of how the role of safe city components can be evaluated in enhancing urban governance in the new areas of Tabriz using foresight.

Methodology

This research is of an applied nature and, based on its methodology, is conducted through future studies - analytical methods, utilizing a combination of documentary and survey methods. For data collection, researcher-made questionnaires were used.
Results and discussion
The software was configured with a matrix of dimensions 27×27, which had a fill rate of 74.95 percent and indicates that the selected components have high and scattered interactions with each other. In fact, the system is in a state of instability.
The matrix, based on statistical indicators with two rounds of data rotation, is 100 percent desirable and optimal; such that the matrix of potential direct effects is 92 and 94 percent, respectively, indicating the high validity of the questionnaire and its responses. In the structural analysis matrix, the sum of the numbers in the rows of each factor represents the level of impact, while the sum of the columns of each factor shows the degree of susceptibility of that factor, which will be explained further. According to the analytical results of the matrix, the environmental component, with a score of 474, has the greatest impact on enhancing the validity of the city of Tabriz in the areas of Khavaran and Marzdaran, while the social component, with a score of 401, has the lowest degree of impact. Additionally, the social component, with a score of 454, has shown the highest susceptibility.
Conclusion
Evaluating future-oriented approaches in enhancing urban governance requires examining components with scientific and logical tools. In this research, the Micmac software has been used to analyze and prioritize the effective components in promoting urban governance. Based on structural analysis in Micmac software, three components and twenty-seven sub-components were categorized as effective components for a safe city in enhancing governance from the perspective of 25 experts and professors in related fields. The scoring indicated that environmental components have the greatest impact on improving urban governance. It was concluded that urban governance in the Khavaran and Marzdaran neighborhoods has a direct relationship with environmental components, including resilient and safe infrastructure, sustainable management of natural resources, urban safety and security, climate sustainability, urban resilience, citizen awareness, connection to good urban governance, natural resource management, green space management, and air quality. Therefore, to enhance urban governance in the Marzdaran and Khavaran neighborhoods, comprehensive and precise planning in the area of environmental components in the city of Tabriz needs to be conducted.
Keywords
Subjects

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