Geography and Human Relationships

Geography and Human Relationships

Location of key centers in the west and northwest of the country with a passive defense approach

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Faculty Member, Urmia University, Faculty of Architecture, Urban Planning and Art, Department of Architecture, Urmia, Iran.
2 Faculty member, Department of Architecture and Urban Planning,Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Tehran, Iran.
3 PhD student in Urban Planning, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Tabriz, Iran.
10.22034/gahr.2025.529059.2506
Abstract
One of the principles of passive defense is selecting a suitable location with a high safety and spatial security coefficient to protect critical centers. The aim of this research is to locate critical centers in the western and northwestern regions of Iran, including the border provinces of West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, Ardabil, Ilam, Kurdistan, and Kermanshah. The research is applied in nature and employs a descriptive-analytical method. Data collection was conducted through library studies and questionnaires, and data analysis was performed using the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) method in GIS software, examining geological, climatic, and spatial-physical criteria. The results indicate that 11.56% of the area is categorized as completely unsuitable, including cities such as Ilam, Azarshahr, Bukan, Paveh, Sanandaj, Shahindezh, Sahneh, and Nir, 21.59% of the area is classified as unsuitable, covering cities such as Ardabil, Osku, Bonab, Bijar, Piranshahr, Javanrud, Chaldoran, Khodabandeh, Saqqez, Qasr-e-Shirin, Kangavar, Gilan-e-Gharb, Maku, Maragheh, Meshkinshahr, Miyaneh, Harsin, Hashtrud, Shirvan, and Chardavol, 29.83% of the area falls into the relatively suitable category, which includes cities like Abhar, Urmia, Oshnavieh, Ahar, Ivan, Baneh, Tabriz, Salas-e-Babajani, Khorramdarreh, Khalkhal, Khoy, Dehloran, Zanjan, Sarpol-e-Zahab, Sardasht, Shabestar, Tarom, Qorveh, Kamyaran, Kalibar, Germi, Marivan, Mehran, Naghadeh, Namin, Varzeghan, and Haris, 23.85% of the area is classified as suitable, encompassing cities such as Islamabad-e-Gharb, Ejrud, Abdanan, Bostanabad, Takab, Jolfa, Charoymaq, Darrehshahr, Divandarreh, Sarab, Saqqez, Kosar, Mahneshan, Malekan, and Miandoab, 13.19% of the area is considered completely suitable, including cities such as Bilehsovar, Sarvabad, Marand, and Mahabad. Finally, proposed strategies and recommendations are presented.
Keywords

Subjects



Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 31 July 2025

  • Receive Date 09 June 2025
  • Accept Date 31 July 2025