Scientific- Research Quarterly of Geographical Data (SEPEHR)

Scientific- Research Quarterly of Geographical Data (SEPEHR)

Spatial zoning analysis of safety and physical insecurity levels in the historical fabric of Kashan with a passive defense approach

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Faezeh Mohammadisheshkal 1
Hassan Sajadzadeh 2
Mostafa Mohammadi Deh cheshmeh 3
Mozhdeh Bahari 1
1 Ph.D student in urban planning, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran
2 Professor, Department of urbanism ,Faculty of art and architecture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan,, Iran
3 Associate professor of geography and urban planning at Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran
10.22131/sepehr.2026.2073210.3153
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Introduction:
Historic urban fabrics represent valuable cultural heritage assets, yet they are often among the most physically vulnerable areas within cities. In seismic regions such as Iran, features including fine-grained urban parcels, narrow and irregular alleyways, aging structures, and traditional low-resistance materials intensify vulnerability, restrict emergency access, and complicate evacuation. The historic fabric of Kashan exemplifies these challenges, making the assessment of safety levels both necessary and urgent.
While preserving cultural identity is a key priority, achieving resilience in historic areas requires a careful balance between heritage conservation and disaster risk reduction. The passive defense approach—emphasizing preventive, non-intrusive, and context-compatible strategies—aligns with this objective by enhancing safety without compromising historical authenticity.
Previous research on Kashan and similar cities has often focused on regional seismic risk, yet few studies have undertaken a detailed and localized assessment tailored to the specific morphological and structural characteristics of historical fabrics. Moreover, earlier models typically rely on hierarchical approaches that do not consider interdependencies between vulnerability parameters.
This study addresses these gaps by applying a multi-criteria framework that incorporates 15 measurable sub-criteria related to accessibility, land-use adjacency, and physical building attributes. By integrating expert-derived ANP weights into GIS and employing Fuzzy Membership functions and spatial overlayering, the research provides a precise, local-scale analysis of physical safety in Kashan’s historical core. The resulting zoning maps serve as a practical tool for planners, heritage managers, and crisis-response authorities seeking to identify priority intervention zones and develop targeted passive-defense strategies.
Overall, this research contributes to a comprehensive understanding of physical vulnerability in historic fabrics and underscores the potential of ANP–GIS integration as a robust methodology for enhancing urban safety while protecting cultural heritage.
Materials and Methods:
This study adopts a descriptive-analytical methodology with an applied purpose. A total of 14 sub-criteria were identified, categorized into three major criteria: (1) physical accessibility, (2) land use and adjacency patterns, and (3) physical characteristics of buildings. These criteria were selected based on their direct influence on the vulnerability of historic urban fabrics.
The required data were collected from multiple sources, including base maps, spatial datasets, field observations, and expert surveys. The Analytic Network Process (ANP) was employed to weigh and prioritize the criteria, capturing interdependencies between them. Expert opinions from 15 specialists were used to perform pairwise comparisons, ensuring robust weighting. Subsequently, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools were utilized for spatial analysis and mapping. Data layers were standardized, weighted, and integrated through fuzzy overlay and weighted sum techniques in ArcGIS, producing zoning maps that classify safety levels from very high to very low.
Results and Discussion:
The results show a stark spatial disparity in safety across Kashan’s historic fabric. Out of the total 370.86 hectares:
41% of the area falls within low and very low safety zones.
Only 12.34% achieves a very high level of safety.
The remaining areas are distributed across medium to high safety levels.
The most vulnerable neighborhoods include Soltan Mir Ahmad, Darb-e Esfahan, Mohtasham, and especially Taher and Mansour. These areas exhibit high population density, deteriorated buildings, narrow alleys, and reliance on weak traditional materials, all of which heighten vulnerability. In contrast, neighborhoods like Bazaar and Posht-e Mashhad (upper and lower) display higher safety due to partial renovations, better accessibility, and the use of stronger construction materials.
The findings highlight that vulnerability is not uniformly distributed; instead, it reflects variations in urban morphology, structural quality, and accessibility. For example, neighborhoods with relatively wider streets and more durable materials, despite being part of the historic fabric, perform better in terms of safety. Conversely, compact areas with aging structures and limited open space show the highest risks.
From a passive defense perspective, the results emphasize several strategic needs:
1. Structural reinforcement of historic buildings using context-sensitive retrofitting methods.
2. Improvement of street networks to facilitate emergency access and evacuation.
3. Expansion of open and safe spaces to serve as emergency gathering points.
4. Consolidation of fine-grained parcels to reduce fragmentation and improve resilience.
5. Enhancement of social participation, mobilizing local communities in safety planning and resilience initiatives.
These findings also underscore the importance of integrating disaster risk reduction with heritage conservation. Without intervention, vulnerable neighborhoods such as Taher and Mansour remain highly exposed to catastrophic risks, representing not only a threat to human lives but also to the continuity of cultural heritage.
Conclusion:
This research demonstrates that Kashan’s historic fabric, despite its cultural significance, suffers from considerable physical vulnerability that requires immediate attention. Systematic zoning of safety and unsafety levels through GIS and ANP provides a clear framework for identifying priority areas. The study concludes that enhancing resilience in historic urban fabrics necessitates an integrated strategy that balances two key goals: (1) preserving cultural and architectural heritage, and (2) reducing disaster risk through passive defense measures.
Ultimately, the approach and methodology applied in this study—combining expert-driven multi-criteria decision-making with GIS-based spatial analysis—offer a replicable model for other historic cities. This model supports policymakers, urban planners, and heritage managers in designing targeted, evidence-based interventions that foster both cultural continuity and urban safety.
Keywords
Spatial zoning
Physical safety
Passive defense
Historic fabric of Kashan
Geographic Information System (GIS)
Analytic Network Process (ANP)
Urban resilience
Subjects
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