Geography and Urban Research

Rethinking the Perception of Security: A Deconstructive Analysis of Female Students' Views on Public Spaces in the City of Tabriz

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Iraj Teimouri
maryam Marefat
Maryam najafaliilu
Abolqasem Taghizadeh Fanid

Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Planning and Environmental Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22130/gur.2025.2051875.1012
Abstract
Security, as a multidimensional concept, encompasses physical, psychological, social, and economic dimensions. In this regard, the present study investigates the perceptions of female students at the University of Tabriz regarding security in the public spaces of the metropolitan area of Tabriz. The research methodology is based on semi-structured interviews and deconstructive analysis, conducted using NVivo software. This approach facilitates the identification of meanings, contradictions, and ambiguities embedded in the interviews and enables the recognition of various factors influencing security perception. The deconstructive analysis entails identifying and examining key terms and binary oppositions, such as security/insecurity, psychological/physical, light/darkness, surveillance/disorder, and open/closed spaces. This analytical approach enhances the comprehension of the implicit meanings and the underlying concepts within the students' responses. The examination of these binary structures underscores the significant role of such dichotomies in shaping security perceptions. The lexical and thematic analysis reveals that terms such as security, lighting, surveillance, public spaces, and population density frequently appear in the interviews. These concepts are identified as pivotal factors contributing to either the enhancement or diminishment of the sense of security. Additionally, the presence of other individuals, social diversity, antisocial behaviors, a sense of belonging to the community, and cultural and structural disparities among cities are recognized as influential determinants. Furthermore, urban design attributes to security perception, and the economic characteristics of the region also impact this perception. Personal experiences, risk perception, the presence of security forces, and surveillance systems are likewise identified as critical factors affecting perceived security.

Keywords

Security perception
Female students
Public spaces
Deconstructive analysis
Metropolitan Tabriz

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Geography and Urban Research
Volume 1, Issue 1
Winter 2025
Pages 64-75

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