The Impact of Public Space Design on Enhancing Urban Social Safety: A Case Study of Sepah Street, Qazvin

Social security in urban public spaces is one of the fundamental prerequisites for the vitality of collective life and the enhancement of citizens’ quality of life. In recent decades, rapid urbanization, the expansion of defenseless urban areas, and the emergence of placeless neighborhoods have increased the sense of insecurity among urban residents. This feeling—regardless of whether it fully corresponds with crime statistics—has serious consequences for citizens’ behavioral patterns, including reduced presence in public spaces, a decline in social interactions, and the weakening of social capital. Under such conditions, conscious and purposeful design of public spaces can play a crucial role in preventing social disorders and strengthening the sense of safety. Factors such as adequate night lighting, diversity and dynamism of land uses, natural surveillance through the continuous presence of citizens, elimination of abandoned or unused spaces, visual transparency, and attention to human scale can significantly contribute to enhancing social security and fostering a stronger sense of belonging to urban spaces. The research method of this study is qualitative with an interpretive approach, and the data collection technique is documentary analysis. This study, aiming to examine the role of public space design in improving urban social security, seeks to explore both theoretical and practical dimensions of the issue and, based on available evidence, to introduce patterns and criteria that can be applied in urban management and policy-making processes. The significance of this research lies in the fact that social security serves as a vital link between citizens and urban spaces, and is a key condition for the sustainability of urban life. Achieving safer and more vibrant cities undoubtedly requires serious attention to the quality of public space design, as these spaces are the main stage for everyday urban experiences and reflect the level of social and cultural development of each society. The findings indicate that improving the quality of public space design—through increased presence, functional diversity, and strengthened natural surveillance—can effectively foster higher levels of social security in urban environments.