Evaluation of CPTED principles in the housing architecture of rural areas in the North of Iran (Case studies: Sedaposhte and Ormamalal)

Abstract

Rural crime can be a cause of some problems for villagers; however, less attention has been paid to security in rural areas. In this study, it is tried to answer whether the variety of rural architecture of houses in villages in the North of Iran can affect crime rates. Therefore, the positive and negative impacts of the designed built environment on crime prevention have been assessed. For this purpose, two villages as case studies, Sedaposhte and Ormamalal, with different architecture and landscaping are analyzed from the CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) approach. After surveying thirty houses in each village and observation different sites, the results demonstrate that some reasons, namely the areas of openings and verandas, hierarchy of spaces, placement of storehouses, types of entrance and fence in residential buildings, and quality of the maintenance of neighborhoods can play vital roles in the decline of residential and farm burglary.