Evaluating the Impact of Factors of Crime Prevention through Environmental design on Perception of Security of Residents (Case Study: Toos Dehestan)

• Main Authors: Aida Sadrossadat, Hamdollah Sojasi Qeidari, Aliakbar Anabestani
• Format: Article
• Language: fas
• Published: university of isfahan 2019-02-01
• Series: پژوهش‌های راهبردی مسائل اجتماعی ایران
• Subjects: rural physical planning; perception of security; cpted; toos dehestan
• Online Access: https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_24062_4a5d1058b46410b9fac38166d515bd11.pdf

Introduction Since the past, it was emphasized on the built-environmental aspect of a village in order to ensure its security against the entry of enemies. Therefore, the security measures had been taken in the architecture and design of streets. The relationship between security and rural physical planning is considered by the fact that the purpose of rural development planning is to improve the quality of life in rural communities, and the necessity for safety has always been an important index of quality of life and basic human needs. Crime is one of the most important issues of human society. Despite the fact that crime has been more considered in urban societies than rural communities, the focus of recent studies on rural criminology indicates the importance of this issue within rural context, too. Particularly, the high level of crime and insecurity in rural settlements at the urban fringe reveals that such settlements need more concern in this regard. Moreover, the approach of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) has been also recommended in rural areas in addition to socio- economic approaches. This is important due to the fact that those factors of CPTED resulting in reduction the incidence and fear of crime in rural areas can be recommended in the process of development of rural physical planning in the country, that is, the development of Rural Guidance Plans. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluating the impact of CPTED indices on perception of security of rural residents to apply its results and effective factors in making a safe community.   Material & Methods This study uses a methodology of descriptive and analytical research with an applied approach. The methods of data collection are based on desk and field study. Desk study was used to determine the factors of CPTED. Field study was performed to fill out the questionnaires in the villages of Toos Dehestan of Mashhad County. Cochran formula was used to make a sample of 362 out of 6195 households (P & Q=0.5; d=0.05). By modulating the samples below 10 per village, the final sample size was revised as 386. The survey instrument was a questionnaire designed in the form of Likert scale whose validity was confirmed by a panel of experts. To determine the reliability of the questionnaire, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used including Territoriality (0.73), Access Control (0.72), Surveillance (0.65), Support (0.62) and Repair and Maintenance (0.68). The data were analyzed using SPSS software including Spearman correlation, Linear Regression model and Path Analysis.   Discussion of Results & Conclusions  This study indicates that Territoriality and Surveillance which examine a limited area such as surrounding environment have had a higher mean and then Access Control which shows the result of performing Rural Guidance Plans. The correlation between CPTED and Perception of Security is significant in all factors. There is a positive correlation between Territoriality, Access Control, Surveillance, Repair and Maintenance and Perception of Security. The Linear Regression model indicates the impact of Factors on Perception of Security including Territoriality (0.242), Access Control (0.372), Surveillance (0.179), Repair and Maintenance (0.287) and Support ( -0.116). The negative effect of Support on Perception of Security determines the weakness of Social Support in the studied rural areas. The results of regression model indicates the significant impact of CPTED on Perception of Security. However, the factor of Support is not in line with the expected outcome due to its negative impact factor. Therefore, according to Path Analysis the positive effects are respectively limited to 1- Repair and Maintenance, 2- Access Control, 3- Territoriality, 4- Surveillance. It is proposed to increase scouting groups in rural areas to have a positive impact on perception of security.