Examining Urban Park Safety Indicators and Their Impact on Urban Crisis Management (Case Study: Tehran)

Abstract

Ensuring the safety of urban parks and green spaces is of paramount importance. This process involves the design and implementation of safety infrastructures such as standard pedestrian pathways, appropriate lighting, the installation of safe playground equipment, and continuous monitoring of space conditions. Additionally, the use of environmentally friendly materials and the provision of suitable facilities for individuals with special needs are among the crucial measures in this regard. This study is designed to propose models for assessing the environmental and safety conditions of urban green spaces in the context of crisis events. The research is based on the collection of necessary data through field studies conducted in Rezvan Park, located in District 10 of the Tehran Municipality, as a case study. The study identifies strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities related to the research topic. The findings were categorized into two matrices: the Internal Factor Evaluation Matrix (I.F.E.M) and the External Factor Evaluation Matrix (E.F.E.M), structured within the SWOT model, and weighted by 15 experts. Based on the scores obtained, operational strategies were formulated to improve the safety conditions of the study site in alignment with urban crisis management. Subsequently, the strategies derived from the SWOT model were weighted and prioritized using the Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM) based on their correlation with the strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities identified in the I.F.E.M and E.F.E.M matrices. Finally, to determine the strategic position of the project and conduct a precise assessment for selecting appropriate corrective strategies, the Strategic Position and Action Evaluation (SPACE) model was employed. Based on the results, specific and general recommendations were presented to enhance the safety of urban green spaces for effective urban crisis management.