Role of Physical Factors in Rural People’s Feeling of Security: A Case Study of Villages of Buin-Zahra County in Iran

Feeling of security in rural and urban areas is one of the most important indicators of quality space. Due to the difference of places in terms of crime, one must never neglect the role and influence of environmental factors. This study aimed at investigating the role of physical design in rural people's feeling of security. The research method was a descriptive-analytical one and the required data were collected through questionnaires, interviews and observations and documents. The statistical population included the rural people of Buin-Zahra County of Iran; and among them, 225 people were selected in a random sampling method. For data analysis, both descriptive statistics (mean, frequency) and inferential statistics (correlation coefficient, one-sample t-test, ANOVA) were used. Results of the t-test showed that honor security and criminal security were moderate and the financial and social security was found to be undesirable. Results of the correlation analysis indicated negative correlations between the feeling of security and the variables including quality of defensible spaces, brightness, quality of rural streets and rural furniture.