Investigating the Vulnerability of Shiraz City From the Point of View of Passive Defense
Subject Areas :
1 - Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Firoozabad Branch, Meymand center, Islamic Azad University, Meymand,
Keywords: Shiraz, Passive Defense, construction management, vulnerability model,
Abstract :
Urban vulnerability from a passive defense perspective can be considered one of the most fundamental themes in urban planning with the aim of empowering the city and citizens to cope with human, financial, and environmental losses. This study measured the vulnerability caused by losses in fortuitous or human-induced events, such as wars or conflicts, to explore passive defense requirements for urban infrastructure development in the Shiraz metropolis. To this aim, a number of indicators were introduced as the most important factors affecting the importance of observing the principles of passive defense in urban planning, including dilapidated urban fabric (urban worn-out textures), accessibility of relief [and rescue] centers, and urban arterial roads, accessibility of service centers and safe spaces, adjacency to hazardous uses, population density, etc. This was an applied research study in nature and descriptive-analytical in method. The required data were obtained by collecting comprehensive urban information, doing desk research, and analyzing it with relevant software. This research introduced urban vulnerability indicators and criteria and evaluated them using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) functions. Then, vulnerable zones in different urban areas were determined by a geographic information system (GIS) using QGIS and Global Mapper software. The results indicated that high vulnerability zones constituted about 28% of Shiraz's 11 urban districts, which can lead to disruptions in times of crisis, especially wars.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Since offense (offensive tools) are constantly progressing and developing, passive defense mechanisms must also be developed. This is tangible and effective as much as it is accepted as a social phenomenon. Besides military affairs specialists, some sociologists have also focused their studies on wars and their profound effects on human life (Meimandi, P., 2015). Humans have utilized multi-level defense to deal with life-threatening conditions caused by potential wars. In this context, in addition to the development of intelligent and advanced military equipment and systems, special attention has been paid to passive defense and its principles, providing the basis for the cooperation and participation of all institutions, forces, organizations, industries, and even ordinary folk for the legitimate defense of the country.
Methodology
This was an applied research study in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of the method that employs the AHP technique. The required data were collected using desk or documentary research methods (by referring to written sources, including books, articles, and reports, especially Shiraz's comprehensive and detailed plans). Spatial data sources used in this article were extracted from the databases approved in the detailed plans of Shiraz municipal districts and affiliated organizations, as well as free data available on the OSM site (https://openstreetmap.com) analyzed by QGIS software.
Results and discussion
Combining layers of vulnerability in terms of passive defense indicators demonstrated that high and very high vulnerability zones accounted for almost one-third of all Shiraz urban areas, which can lead to inefficiency in times of crisis, especially wars. According to the research purpose, 15 indicators were selected to analyze the vulnerability of Shiraz urban areas. A QGIS-based statistical analysis yielded a low-risk vulnerability of 25%, a medium-risk vulnerability of 50%, a high-risk vulnerability of 75%, and a very high-risk vulnerability of 100%. Finally, vulnerability maps were prepared under different conditions of risk.
Conclusion
The findings of the present study indicate that the city of Shiraz faces multiple and diverse vulnerabilities from the perspective of passive defense. The results show that in the southern part of the city, access to healthcare facilities and hospitals is relatively adequate; however, the northwestern part suffers from a shortage of fire stations, and District 8 lacks sufficient safe open spaces and shelters. Moreover, the assessment of deprivation indices revealed that the southern and eastern parts of Shiraz experience higher levels of deprivation, while the city center, due to the presence of historical and deteriorated urban fabrics, is situated within a zone of very high vulnerability. Overall, the risk assessment results demonstrate that 4% of the city is exposed to low risk, 12% to medium risk, 18% to high risk, and 28% to very high risk. Among these, the deteriorated urban fabric—with 100% vulnerability—represents the most critical risk factor, whereas water resources (10%) and mosques (11%) are identified as the least vulnerable indicators.
1. Ebrahimi Bozani, Nowrozi, Khaksar, & Hengameh. (2023). Placement of prone areas of urban shelters with emphasis on the principles of passive defense: Case study of Ilam city. The Scientific-Research Quarterly Journal of Geographical Information “Sephar”. [In Persian]
2. Hajipour, Kh., & Payab, A. (2019). Analysis of defense vulnerabilities in urban areas using the process of hierarchical analysis (Case study: Shiraz Region 2). Space Planning and Planning, 23(1). [In Persian]
3. Hajjarian, A., & Ahmad. (2023). Location of urban administrative uses with passive defense approach: Case study of Isfahan city. Scientific Journal, 15(2), 243–259. [In Persian]
4. Ismaili Shahrokht, M., & Taqvaee, A. (2011). Assessing the vulnerability of the city with a passive defense approach using the Delphi method: Case of Birjand. Bi-Quarterly Urban Management, 9 (28), 93–110. http://ijurm.imo.org.ir/article-1-98-fa.html [In Persian]
5. Meymandi, S., & Kazemi Nia, A. (2015). Vulnerability zoning of Kerman city based on the principles of passive defense. Land Management, 12, 119. [In Persian]
6. Noorullahi, H., Barzegar, A., Awad Abadian, F., Soleimani, A., & Alikhani, A. (2015). Presenting a risk assessment model based on the combination of functional and planning approaches in critical infrastructure. Journal of Crisis Management, 7(1), 47–56. [In Persian]
7. Pourmohammadi, M., Mahmoudzadeh, H., & Salvati. (2023). Evaluation of urban open space and its role in reducing vulnerability in times of crisis with passive defense approach: Case example of Tabriz city. Scientific Journal of Geography and Planning, 27(85), 27-37. https://doi.org/10.22034/gp.2023.10795 [In Persian]
8. Pouyan, J., & Nateghi Elahi, F. (1999). Vulnerability of metropolises against earthquakes: A case study of Tehran. In Third International Conference on Seismology and Earthquake Engineering, Tehran. [In Persian]
9. Prizadi, I., Hosseini Amini, H., & Shahriari, H. (2010). Study and analysis of passive defense measures in Saqez city in an analytical approach. Quarterly Journal of Urban Management, 26, 191–206. [In Persian]
10. Rajabi, M., Mansoorian, A., & Talei, M. (2011). Comparison of fuzzy AHP, OWA–OWA–AHP multi-criteria decision making methods for locating residential complexes in Tabriz. Journal of Environmental Studies, 57, 77–92. https://dor.isc.ac/dor/20.1001.1.10258620.1390.37.57.9.7 [In Persian]
11. Rostam Pisheh, A., Arbabi Sabzevari, A., & Navidi Majd, A. (2023). Explaining the architectural compatibility of urban buildings with the principles of passive defense: Case study of Islamshahr city. Scientific Quarterly Journal of Crisis Prevention and Management Science, 13(2), 204–227. [In Persian]
12. Sadeghi, A., Heidari, M., & Aghaei, F. (2019). Vulnerability assessment of urban areas with passive defense approach: A case study of 10 areas of Shiraz Municipality. Scientific Research Journal of Safe City, Passive Defense Organization. https://www.ispdrc.ir/article_705416.html [In Persian]
13. Shamaei, A., Mostafa Pour, L., & Youseghi Fashki, M. (2015). Spatial analysis of vulnerabilities in urban neighborhoods with a passive defense approach in Piranshahr. Spatial Analysis of Environmental Hazards, 3, 105–118. [In Persian]
14. Siami, Q., Latifi, Gh., Taghinejad, K., & Zahedi Klaki, Alf. (2014). Defense pathology of urban structure using AHP and GIS hierarchical analysis: Case study of Gorgan. Spatial Planning, 10, 21–42. [In Persian]
15. Statistical Center of Iran. (2020). [In Persian]
16. Statistical Center of Iran. (2020). Statistical Yearbook of Shiraz 1399. Tehran: Office of the Department of Public Relations and International Cooperation. [In Persian]
17. Suleimanian, S. S., Kozegar, & Lotfali. (2023). Assessing the vulnerability of urban infrastructures in Mazandaran province with passive defense approach. Sustainable Development of the Geographical Environment. [In Persian]
18. Taqvaee, M., & Jozi, A. (2012). Crisis management and planning in urban spaces with a passive defense approach and SWOT model: A case study of Isfahan marching routes. Journal of Spatial Planning, 6, 57–73. https://gps.gu.ac.ir/article_5377.html [In Persian]