Investigating the Sense of Security of the Residents Living in Urban Damaged Areas (Case Study: Ameri Neighborhood in Ahvaz City)

One of the imperatives of quality of life in urban environments is security. Accordingly, reducing crime in urban areas, especially in the damaged areas, is one of the most important goals in the urban planning process. This study has been conducted aiming at investigating the sense of security of the residents living in Ameri Neighborhood in Ahvaz City as an urban damaged area.

In terms of its objectives, the present study is of an applied research type. In term of the methodology it is considered as a survey research. The statistical population included all the residents of Ameri Neighborhood in Ahvaz City. The sample size was obtained as 350 using Cochran formula with the confidence level of 95% and they were randomly selected. The data were collected using a reliable (α=.85) and valid (experts' opinions) questionnaire. The obtained data were analyzed via SPSS software and Multiple Linear Regression test.

The results showed that there is a significant relationship between 'the sense of security' and the three variables of 'physical condition of the neighborhood', 'cooperation and coordination in maintaining security' and 'the presence of police'. Ranking of the variables in terms of the impact on the sense of security also revealed that "appropriate mix of land uses, ''roadway and sidewalk spaces", "removing vulnerable spaces ", "police presence", "readability and understandability of the space" and "participation in the protection and maintenance of spaces " have a greater impact on the sense of security in terms of Ameri neighborhood residents' ideas.