Planning for safe urban spaces with CPTED approach

One of the basic needs of human being is to live in security which can be substantially realized in urban space. Sense of security consists in a variety of factors in a city, so an attempt is made in this research to recognize and introduce influential physical-spatial criteria in the security of urban space. Over time, many theories upheld the measures and programs, and one of the most recent and practical is “crime prevention through environmental design” (CPTED). The aim of the research is to identify criteria and standards by which we are able to prevent crime. In this paper, we briefly address the theories laid down by experts concerning defendable space in many physical and social aspects. In what follows, CPTED approach is addresses and we then turn our focus toward its different aspects. In the end, using the opinions of people residing in the study area (Abak Neighborhood located in District 1 in Tehran), causes of security decrease are investigated through a questionnaire based on CPTED approach. The research method of the present study is analytic and documentary which address the approach and mechanism of its efficiency in urban environments.