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Enhancing Environmental Security in Dense Urban Areas through a Passive Defense Approach Against Terrorist Attacks (Case Study: The Mourning Procession Route of the Great Husseiniyeh of Zanjan)
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Solmaz Ahmadi Barough *   |
| Payam Noor University |
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Abstract: (32 Views) |
| In the 21st century, terrorism has become a complex global challenge, with dense urban spaces, particularly ritual pathways, emerging as attractive targets due to their potential for maximum casualties and psychological impact. This study aims to develop a strategic framework for simultaneously enhancing security and environmental quality using a passive defense approach. Employing a mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) sequential exploratory design, the research combined field studies and a survey of 30 experts. Data analysis utilized Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) and multiple linear regression. The intervention area is the approximately 2000-meter-long mourning procession route from the Great Husseiniyeh to the Imamzadeh Seyed Ebrahim in central Zanjan. Field analysis revealed significant weaknesses in three main dimensions of passive defense: physical-architectural (deteriorated fabric, narrow alleys), traffic and access management (lack of management plans and security barriers), and surveillance measures (absence of an integrated surveillance system). Questionnaire results indicated a significant gap between the "importance" and "performance" of key indicators. Regression analysis showed that the variables of alley width (β=0/34), security barriers (β=0/28), and surveillance systems (β=0/22) had the greatest share in predicting overall environmental security (R²=0/86). The findings demonstrate that intelligent design, by enhancing presence, natural surveillance, and flexibility, improves inherent security and environmental quality, moving beyond mere fortification towards a resilient urban space paradigm. |
Article number: 3 |
| Keywords: Urban Design, Urban Security, Passive Defense, Terrorism, Crowded Places, Great Husseiniyeh of Zanjan |
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Full-Text [PDF 1057 kb]
(28 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/12/7 | Accepted: 2026/04/19 | Published: 2026/04/26
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