Geography and Human Relationships

Geography and Human Relationships

Studying the role of factors affecting the spirit of Vandalism in public spaces of Ahvaz city

Document Type : thesis

Authors
1 MSc student in Geography and Urban Planning, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
3 Professor Department of Geography & Urban Planning, Faculty of Letters and Humanities, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran
10.22034/gahr.2025.563905.2635
Abstract
This research was conducted with the aim of “Investigating the role of factors affecting the spirit of destruction in public spaces of Ahvaz city (Case study: Region 1)”. Based on the nature of the subject and the objectives that have been considered for it, it is theoretical-applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of nature and method of research implementation. Two documentary and survey methods were used to collect the desired data. The statistical population of the age group (25-65 years) living in Region 1 of Ahvaz city is equivalent to 77876 people and the sample size is 380 people based on the Cochran formula. SPSS and Excel statistical software were used to analyze data collected from questionnaires and other sources. The findings indicate that the weakness in the application of formal supervision and especially spontaneous social supervision (such as the control that neighbors exert on each other or the sense of collective presence in the space), as a key factor, directly contributes to the significant increase in destructive behaviors in public spaces in District 1 of Ahvaz. Visual inconsistency and lack of coherence in the design of urban elements in District 1 of Ahvaz are statistically significantly associated with an increase in destructive behaviors. These results strongly support the view that unpleasant, disorderly, and unmaintained urban environments weaken the sense of "common ownership" and "valuation" in citizens and act as a catalyst for the emergence of antisocial behaviors. This study conclusively shows that the spirit of vandalism in public spaces of District 1 of Ahvaz is a multifaceted phenomenon that is rooted in social factors (decreased social supervision) and physical factors (visual inconsistency in urban design), both of which play an influential role in increasing vandalism behaviors.
Keywords

Subjects



Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 15 December 2025

  • Receive Date 03 December 2025
  • Accept Date 15 December 2025