Territorial Planning of Military Barracks in the Metropolis of Tehran with a Defense-Security Approach

Subject Areas : Regional Planning

َAli Bagheri Dolatabadi ¹ (Associate Professor of International Relations, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran)
Amir Dorj ² (postgraduate in Urban development studies)

Received: 2021-08-06 Accepted : 2022-01-16 Published : 2024-02-20

Keywords: Tehran, Site Selection, Passive Defense, Military Bases, Territorial Planning,

Abstract :

Abstract
Todays, diversity, number and type of crises are increasing. Passive defense can reduce the material and non-material costs of these threats. That is why in the security doctrine of states defensive-security considerations are among the most important factors affecting the appropriate selection of military sites. The location of military barracks is one of the highlights issues in passive defense. Considering that there are 83 military barracks in the metropolis of Tehran and more than half of them, 49 barracks, are located in Tehran; The question is,  to what extent do these military bases comply with the standards and principles of passive defense? Which area of Tehran has the optimal and appropriate place for military bases in the future? For this purpose, the fuzzy function and GIS software have been used for data analysis. Criteria and indicators of site selection include five groups: spatial-physical, demographic, geographical (climatic parameters, the geomorphologic and geologic parameters, the parameters of accessibility of man-made centers, infrastructure parameters and hydrological specifications), economic and military. Findings revealed in the territorial planning of Tehran military bases, passive defense has not been the focus of attention. In terms of soil type, land slope, distance from the river, faults, power transmission lines, and proximity to sensitive centers, these areas are vulnerable. According to the results obtained from the fuzzy function based on the gamma 9% Robat Karim (%25.34), Waramin (%13.64), and Shahriyar Counties (%8.24) had the optimal and appropriate locations for the construction of new military bases. Furthermore, Shemiranat County had the least suitable conditions (%73) for the construction of a military barracks based on a passive defense approach.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Victory in war depends as much on the defense of barracks and logistics as it does on offense and aggression. That is why in the security doctrine of states defensive-security considerations are among the most important factors affecting the appropriate selection of military sites. Paying attention to the principles of passive defense makes it possible for military bases to provide services not only in a state of peace, but also in critical situations. In Iran, despite the bitter experience of the eight-year war with Iraq and the extensive damage to the country's vital infrastructure, until 2003, not enough attention was paid to the issue of passive defense. It was from this time on that this attitude was gradually reformed. Today, the need for passive defense for military bases - because of their role in providing security - is greater than elsewhere. Considering that there are 83 military barracks in the metropolis of Tehran and more than half of them, 49 barracks, are located in Tehran; The question is,  to what extent do these military bases comply with the standards and principles of passive defense? Which area of Tehran has the optimal and appropriate place for military bases in the future? The importance of this question lies in the fact that one of the goals of states in times of war is to strike over political, economic, demographic, and logistics centers. As the capital of Iran, Tehran is one of the most important targets in any foreign military threat. Therefore, in line with the main question of the current research, it is very important to pay attention to the issue of locating barracks and its passive defense in Tehran. In addition to increasing the efficiency and performance of military bases, applying appropriate methods in the site selection, can prevent wrong decisions and the loss of troops and the economic strength to respond appropriately to the attack. Several factors are include in military site selection studies. Some of the main factors are climatic conditions, topographic conditions, communication routes, water, land slope, security issues, and political considerations. The present study examine the site selection of military bases in Tehran and try to introduce the best places to build new military barracks.
 
Methodology
This research has been conducted with the aim of locating and organizing an optimal distribution of military bases. Criteria and indicators of site selection include five groups: spatial-physical, demographic, geographical (climatic parameters, the geomorphologic and geologic parameters, the parameters of accessibility of man-made centers, infrastructure parameters, and hydrological specifications), economic and military. In the first step, the effective measures in locating the military bases were evaluated by experts on the basis of their importance. Then, by fuzzing and integrating the layers in the GIS, the aforementioned area was classified for the construction of new barracks. Finally, the appropriate military site of military units were selected on the map in the ARC GIS environment through utilizing the overlapping method of effective layers of site selection.
 
Results and Discussion
The results revealed that according to the indicators identified in scientific research (Nouri, 2019) in the spatial planning of military bases in Tehran, the passive defense has not been considered enough. In terms of soil type, land slope, distance from the river, faults, power transmission lines, and proximity to sensitive centers, these areas are vulnerable and necessary measures should be taken to relocate them.
According to the results obtained from the fuzzy function based on the gamma 9% Robat Karim (%25.34), Waramin (%13.64), and Shahriyar County (%8.24) had the optimal and appropriate locations for the construction of new military bases. Furthermore, Shemiranat Counties had the least suitable conditions (%73) for the construction of a military barracks based on a passive defense approach. Our findings confirmed the results of other research about Ardabil (Jafarzadeh & Valizadeh Kamran, 2018), Torbat-e Jam (Saeedi et al, 2013), Marivan (Weysi et al, 20181397) and Nehbandan (Bahramabadi & Ebadinejad, 2016), Hamedan (Jamour & Malekhoseini, 2015). All of mentioned papers has emphasized the lack of attention to the principles of passive defense in the territorial planning of military bases in Iran.
 
Conclusion
The presence of military bases and barracks within the urban fabric, along with the horizontal expansion of the cities, have brought about many problems in the missions of the garrison and reduced its effectiveness, which in itself poses a serious threat to the proper functioning of the missions considered. It seems that the expansion of cities and civil conditions in the near future will require the relocation of many military bases in Tehran. In selecting an appropriate and optimal place to build military centers, security, and defense considerations are vital. Using the principles of passive defense in the construction of these military sites will increase the efficiency of these units and strengthen their security for dealing with military threats and crises. A review of research on the territorial planning of military bases in Iran confirmed three issues: First, the number of such studies is very small and does not include all major cities. Second, passive defense in the territorial planning of military bases in Iran has been neglected. Third, the metropolis of Tehran has not been the focus of attention in these studies. The results of the current paper confirmed that the western and southwestern regions of Tehran have suitable conditions for construction of military centers with a security approach and passive defense and the necessary steps should be taken as soon as possible to transfer military bases. The recurrence of military threats against Iran by Israel and the United States in recent years and insecurity in the Middle East doubles this need. The authors suggested that the construction of military bases in the designated areas should be done with utmost care so that, firstly, the urban development in the region is not disrupted by the establishment of these bases. Secondly, the citizens do not lose their sense of calm and security. In order to create a sense of peace and security among the people of the region, it was recommended to build government-leased houses for military personnel in the above-mentioned urban area.

References:

References

1. Bahramabadi, B., Ebadinejad, S. (2016). A Site Selection of Border Military Posts and the Identification of Penetration-Prone Areas on the Borderlines through Utilizing Fuzzy Inference Systems and GIS (Case Study: Nehbandan Borderlines). Military Management Quarterly, 16(63), pp.63-92. [In Persian]


2. Bastani, M. (2014). Territorial Planning and Passive Defense. Strategic Attitude Quarterly, 92, pp. 221-228. [In Persian]


3. Camerin, F.; Camatti, N.; Gastaldi, F. (2021). Military Barracks as Cultural Heritage in Italy: A Comparison between before-1900- and 1900-to-1950-Built Barracks. Sustainability, 13)782(, pp. 1-31. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020782


4. Chokhachizadeh Moghadam, M.B. (2002). Territorial Planning and Defense. Collection of Articles on Territorial Planning and Defense, Tehran: Imam Hossein University. [In Persian]


5. Colgan, J. D. (2018). Climate Change and the Politics of Military Bases. Global Environmental Politics, 18)1(, pp. 33–51. https://doi.org/10.1162/GLEP_a_00443


6. Gumusay MU.; Koseoglu G.; Bakirman T. (2016). An Assessment of Site Suitability for Marina Construction in Istanbul, Turkey, using GIS and AHP Multicriteria Decision Analysis. Environ Monit Assess, 188(12), pp.677-687. DOI: 10.1007/s10661-016-5677-5


7. Hadiani, Z.; Ahadnejad Roshani, M.; Kazemizad, Sh.h; Shahali, A. (2012). Site Selection of Solid Waste Landfills Using Fuzzy Logic in GIS Environment: A Case Study of Zanjan. Geographical Space Quarterly, 1(4), pp. 116-133. [In Persian]


8. Jafarzadeh, J., Valizadeh Kamran, K. (2018). Locating Military Bases with Passive Defense Approach and Using a Combination of Remote Sensing and MCDM. 9(32), pp.41-52. https://doi.org/1001.1.22285229.1397.9.32.4.1 [In Persian]


9. Jamour, M.; Malekhoseini, A. (2015). Evaluation of the location of barracks in the City of Hamadan Based on Passive Defense Indicators. Geography and Urban Planning, 7(23), pp. 73-93. [In Persian]

• Karami, F., Ghanbari, A., Hasandost Farhani, D. (2020). Site Selection of Vital and Sensitive Sites Bojnourd Township with a Passive Defense Approach. Geography and Planning, 24(73), pp.257-275. https://doi.org/ 22034/GP.2020.10862 [In Persian]


• M, Abedi. S, (2012). Using the Hybrid GA-TOPSIS Algorithm to Solving the Site Selection Problem in Passive Defense. International Journal of Industrial Engineering & Production Research, 23(1), pp. 35-43. [In Persian]

12. Kawato, Y. (2015), Protests against US Military Base Policy in Asia: Persuasion and Its Limits, Palo Alto, CA: Stanford University Press.

• Keykhaei, M.; Rangzan, K.; Taghizadeh, A. (2015). Finding the Potential of Surveillance Sites of Border Posts Using GIS and Fuzzy Logic in Nasrabad Region of Isfahan. Quarterly of Military Science and Technology, 11(33), pp. 109- 128. [In Persian]


• Khosravi, F.; Hashemi Fesharaki, J.; Taghvaei, H. (2014). Architectural Considerations of Control Building of Oil Pumping Stations with Passive Defense Approach. Passive Defense Quarterly, 6(1), pp. 57-66. [In Persian]


• Mirkatouli, J.; Mousazadeh, H.; Zangiabadi, Z., (2016). Urban Infrastructure Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis of Passive Defense Approach (Case Study: Gorgan). International Journal of Advanced Urban Research (IJAUR), 2)1(, pp.15-21. [In Persian]


• Mohammadi Deh-Cheshmeh, M.; Savaedi, A. (2013). Urban Safety and Passive Defense. Ahvaz: Shahid Chamran University Press. [In Persian]


• Momeni, M. (2002). The Position of Military and Civil Defense in Territorial Planning. Collection of Articles on Territorial Planning and Defense, Theoretical Framework, Tehran: Imam Hossein University Press. [In Persian]


• NikooManesh, M.; Nazarkhah, A. (2015). The Role of Passive Defense in Reducing the Risks of Earthquakes. American Journal of Civil Engineering, 3(2), pp. 6-9. [In Persian]


• Nouri, Jaber (2019). Criteria for Site Selection of Military Barracks with Looking at Aspects of Passive Defense. Passive Defense, 10(1), pp. 31-44. [In Persian]


• Rahmati Nia, V., Mokhtari, D. (2021). Placement of Defense Centers from the Perspective of Passive Defense in the Country’s Northwestern Regions the Using Geographical Information System (GIS), Passive Defense Quarterly, 12(1), pp. 65-80. [In Persian]


• Saeedi, A.; Bagheri, H.; Shams, Me. (2013). Site Selection of Military Barracks with Passive Defense Approach: Using a Combination of GIS and MCDA: Case study: Torbat-e Jam city. Defense Policy Quarterly, 22(84), pp. 193-216. [In Persian]

22. Sydney, J.; Freedberg, JR. (2020). Future Missile War Needs New Kind of Command: CSIS. Breaking Defense, July 7, https://breakingdefense.com/2020/07/future-missile-war-needs-new-kind-of-command-csis/


23. Tyagi, C. SC. (2021). Future Wars: Artificial Intelligence, Drones and Cyber Weapons. Financial Express, July 8, https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/future-wars-artificialintelligence-drones-and-cyber-weapons/2286333/


24. US Department of Defense (2015). National Security Implications of Climate-Related Risks and a Changing Climate. Available online at: https://tinyurl.com/zkqw5

• Vahdani, H.; Harasani, A.; Abedi, W.; Qadi, M.H. (2021). Site Selection of Urban Multipurpose Shelters with a Passive Defense Approach: A Case Study of Bojnourd, Quarterly of Passive Defense, 12(1), pp. 49-58. [In Persian]


• Weysi, F., Manouchehri, S., Safiari, R. (2018). Determination of Optimal Points for the Establishment of Border Posts in Accordance with the Principles of Passive Defense in Rural Areas (Case Study: Marivan Border City). Journal of Police Geography, 6(23), pp.75-106. [In Persian]

27. Ventura Alves, Nuno André (2015). Planning and Spatial Organization of a Campaign Military Barracks in the Face of the Terrorist Threat – Methodological Contributions. Instituto Superior Técnico,file:///C:/Users/persianRK/Downloads/resumo%20em%20ingles1_pdf.pdf


28. Wohlstetter, A. (1951). Economic and Strategic Considerations in Air Base Location: A Preliminary Review. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, https://www.rand.org/pubs/documents/D1114.html.


29. Yang, J., Tzeng, G. H., (2011). An integrated MCDM Technique Combined with DEMATEL for a Novel Cluster-Weighted with ANP Method. Expert Systems with Applications, 38)3(, pp. 1417–1424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2010.07.048

• Zarghani, S.H.; Azami, H (2011). Analysis of Military-Security Considerations in Preparation of Military Centers and Camps with Emphasis on Khorasan Razavi Province. MJSP. 15 (2), pp.141-161. [In Persian]