Comparison of pedestrian safety in old and new neighborhoods (A case study of Qazvin)

Abstract

Sense of security is one of the basic human needs and the most influential social components of urban life. Perhaps it can be the most important factor in promoting or hindering walking in cities. In other words, if the neighborhoods of a city have a good level of security, the presents of pedestrians can be seen in local streets even in the late night hours. In this regard and to the answer to this question that what kind of structure can be the supplier of pedestrian safety, the present study deals with comparison of an old neighborhood and a newly built neighborhood in the city of Qazvin by utilizing the Analytical Hierarchy Process(AHP) and also spatial analysis with GIS software.Initial hypothesis is based on the assumption that organic older neighborhoods bring safer feel in comparison with new neighborhoods for pedestrians and neighborhood residents. The results largely confirm the hypothesis and also show that nowadays, the old neighborhoods in cities has changed and distanced from the primary structure which require some reforms.At the end of the research, new ways to strengthen the sense of security in the new neighborhood and improvements of old ones are offered. It is hoped the issue analyzed in this study, helps the promotion of pedestrian life in cities.