Document Type : Original Article
Extended Abstract
1. Introduction
Nighttime safety is considered one of the fundamental components of urban livability and plays a crucial role in enhancing quality of life, strengthening social vitality, and encouraging continuous use of public spaces. In recent years, the concept of the “nighttime city” has received increasing attention among urban planners and designers as an important indicator of urban vitality. However, in many deteriorated urban fabrics—particularly within historic districts of Iranian cities—the quality of the nighttime environment and citizens’ sense of safety face significant challenges. Physical deterioration, inadequate urban services, weak environmental quality, reduced social presence, and limited natural surveillance often contribute to heightened perceptions of insecurity during nighttime hours.
Previous studies have highlighted the role of environmental design, urban quality, and social activity in shaping perceptions of safety in public spaces. Jacobs (1961) emphasized the importance of “eyes on the street,” arguing that active public presence and informal surveillance enhance urban safety. Similarly, Gehl (2011) demonstrated that well‑designed public environments encourage social interaction and increase perceived security. Within the theoretical framework of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), environmental qualities such as lighting, visibility, and spatial legibility are recognized as key factors influencing safety in urban environments (Cozens & Love, 2015). In the Iranian context, several studies have also examined the relationship between environmental quality and perceived security in deteriorated urban fabrics, emphasizing the need for integrated physical and social interventions (Sarafzadeh et al., 2023; Habibi, 2024).
Despite these contributions, there remains a gap in understanding the interconnected relationships between physical–spatial security infrastructure, nighttime environmental quality, and perceived nighttime safety, particularly within deteriorated urban neighborhoods. Many previous studies have examined these variables separately rather than analyzing their combined influence. In response to this gap, the present study investigates the relationships among physical–spatial security infrastructure, nighttime environmental quality, and perceived nighttime safety in the deteriorated neighborhoods of Rudband and Qaleh in Dezful, Iran.
2. Materials and Methods
This study is applied in terms of purpose and adopts a quantitative descriptive–analytical approach. Data were collected through field surveys using a researcher‑designed questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 17 closed‑ended items measured on a five‑point Likert scale and was designed to evaluate three main constructs: perceived nighttime safety (dependent variable), nighttime environmental quality (mediating variable), and physical–spatial security infrastructure (independent variables).
The statistical population consisted of residents of the Rudband and Qaleh neighborhoods in Dezful, which are recognized as part of the city’s historic and deteriorated urban fabric. A sample of 30 residents was selected using simple random sampling. Although the sample size is relatively small, it is considered acceptable for exploratory research, particularly given the practical constraints associated with conducting field surveys in historic and deteriorated urban contexts.
The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, which yielded a value of 0.832, indicating satisfactory internal consistency. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation, were used to summarize the data, while inferential analysis was conducted through multiple linear regression to examine relationships among variables. Additionally, multicollinearity diagnostics such as Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) and Condition Index were used to evaluate the validity of the regression model.
3. Results and Discussion
The descriptive results indicated that the quality of the nighttime environment in the studied neighborhoods is relatively low. Insufficient street lighting, poor spatial legibility, inadequate environmental cleanliness, and reduced social presence during nighttime hours were frequently identified by respondents as factors contributing to a diminished sense of safety. These findings are consistent with Jacobs’ theory of natural surveillance, which emphasizes the role of active public presence in maintaining urban safety (Jacobs, 1961).
The results of the multiple linear regression analysis showed a correlation coefficient of R = 0.725 and a coefficient of determination of R² = 0.526. This indicates that approximately 52.6 percent of the variance in perceived nighttime safety can be explained by the variables included in the model. However, the overall significance level of the model was p = 0.686, indicating that the model is not statistically significant at conventional confidence levels.
Further diagnostic analysis revealed the presence of multicollinearity among some independent variables, particularly those related to lighting quality, spatial visibility, and environmental conditions. High values of VIF and Condition Index suggested that these variables share conceptual overlap, which may affect the stability of regression coefficients. Similar overlaps have been reported in previous research on environmental safety, where multiple environmental attributes simultaneously shape individuals’ spatial experiences and perceptions of safety (Cozens & Love, 2015).
Despite these statistical limitations, the observed patterns suggest that improvements in environmental quality and physical infrastructure may positively influence residents’ perceptions of nighttime safety. These findings align with earlier studies demonstrating that urban design quality and active public environments contribute significantly to perceived safety and urban livability (Gehl, 2011; Sarafzadeh et al., 2023).
4. Conclusions
The results of this study indicate that nighttime safety in deteriorated urban fabrics is a multidimensional phenomenon shaped by the complex interaction of physical, environmental, and social factors. Although the regression model did not reach statistical significance, descriptive and interpretive findings highlight the importance of nighttime environmental quality, adequate lighting, spatial legibility, and social presence in shaping residents’ perceptions of safety.
Enhancing nighttime safety in deteriorated neighborhoods therefore requires an integrated and multidisciplinary approach to urban planning and design. Interventions such as improving street lighting, encouraging nighttime social activities, enhancing environmental cleanliness, and strengthening natural surveillance mechanisms can contribute to safer and more vibrant nighttime urban environments. Moreover, involving local residents in urban regeneration processes can strengthen community cohesion and increase informal social monitoring within neighborhoods.
Overall, the findings of this study provide empirical insights that may inform urban regeneration policies and strategies aimed at improving nighttime environmental quality and safety in deteriorated urban fabrics.
5. Acknowledgment & Funding
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not‑for‑profit sectors.
6. Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest related to this research.
7. References
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