Abstract

1. Introduction An accurate understanding of today’s world conditions requires that “national security” is not solely defined in terms of military, but other aspects such as “social, economic, and cultural security” are considered for maintaining and improving the national and international authority (Mandel, 1999, p. 77). Throughout the human history, security has been among the most important and common issues, and while it has undertaking major shifts, its importance has never diminished yet increased and new dimensions have emerged. Security is the first factor that makes people come together, use each other’s help, and share social responsibilities in order to live more comfortably. Just as a house and all its interior provide a secure and safe space for the family and the visitors, similarly, every city should provide safety and security for all the residents and visitors (Mtani & Lubuva, 2004). Women are the more vulnerable social group to insecurity, and a detailed study of their pattern of getting around in cities as well as improving their security would play a critical role in the improvement of the prosperity of urban spaces (Navidinia, 2001,).  2. Theoretical Framework In the first urban planning done in the first half of the twentieth century, cities were considered on the basis of traditional functions, in which women belonged to the private sphere while only men belonged to the public sphere. Despite increased urbanization, urban development has been based on the traditional perspective, which has currently caused complications resulting in the insecurity for women in urban spaces (Bilgin, 2003). The sense of security among the most important issues in any society is the precondition for the survival of any political and societal system. The sense of security relates to citizens’ psychological sense of security and therefore associates with several issues regarding the supply or failure to supply security (Ahmadi & Ismailia, 2000). Most experts believe that security is an external concept while the sense of security is an internal and mental concept. In other words, security is the absence of threats to the individual, whereas the sense of security is the absence of an internal feeling of insecurity.  3. Method This study investigated the social security of women on the crowded sidewalks in Tabriz, Iran. Data were collected from a randomly selected sample of 172 participants representing the target population of female pedestrians in Tabriz. In the study, the dependent variable was the sense of security and the independent variables were the criteria of the sense of security which have a direct impact on women and accordingly on the extent of women’s feeling secure in crowded sidewalks. The study employs survey data as well as descriptive and inferential statistics to address the social security of women. In order to rank the sidewalks in terms of social security for women, Topsis and Vikor models and to weight the criteria, AHP model were used.  4. Discussion and Conclusion Security of urban areas plays a significant role in promoting the welfare of the citizens. Women, who are more vulnerable to the effects of urban insecurity, react passively and withdraw from the situation when facing insecurity. Every day at different hours, women get around in urban areas, especially, on sidewalks and they should feel safe in this environment. Everyday, many people walk in the urban spaces of Tabriz, the fourth largest city in Iran, specially the sidewalks, many of whom are women. The study used two models for ranking the social security of three main sidewalks of Tabriz for women. The findings based on Vikor model showed that in terms of the social security for women, the sidewalks Abrasan, Shariaty, and Valiasr were ranked the first and best, second and third, respectively. The results of analysis based on Topsis model indicated that in terms of social security for women Shariaty was in the first place, Abrasan was in the second place, and Valiasr was in third place.