Analysis of the Role of Environmental Design in Preventing Crimes and Improving Security in New Cities (Case Study: Hashtgerd City)

A safe urban environment with suitable infrastructure to prevent crime and creation of psychological security in people increases the sense of presence in the place and increases the social interactions of citizens in the city. Then all sections of the society will be actively present in urban spaces at night without experiencing fear and crime. In this way, the vitality and livability of the urban space increases. Using the descriptive-analytical method, this article investigates the role of environmental design and urban planning in preventing crimes and improving security in the new city of Hashtgerd with the CPTED approach. Data were collected by documentary and field methods. The statistical population included the citizens of Hashtgerd (49,417 people), of them 380 samples were selected using Cochran's formula. Data analysis was done with TODIM multi-criteria decision making model and path analysis test and DPSIR model with the help of Excel and SPSS software. The findings showed that the status of urban design and planning components effective in improving Hashtgerd city security and crime prevention is acceptable with an average of 3.42. According to the DPSIR model with the weighting coefficients of the Todim model, the indicators of the subcategory of the "impact" component with a score of 0.724 have had the greatest impact on improving security and crime prevention. According to the path analysis test, the "answer" component by emphasizing the design of furniture and urban elements in public environments; making the neighborhood suitable for vulnerable groups; The lighting and legibility of the city, especially at night; and the management and protection of the environment with a direct effect of 0.527 is most related to the promotion of security and prevention of crime in Hashtgerd city.