Problem Statement: Among the most significant challenges of the majority of historic bazaars is that there are social issues that jeopardize security. The research case of this study is within Hamadan Bazaar, which is subject to the aforementioned social problems. The primary research question is whether Space Syntax software can be used to analyze crime locations that have been caused by physical and non-physical factors. One particular gap in the literature for this research is that no definite explanation of the ability of the software to detect crime locations that have been caused by non-physical factors has been created.
Research Objectives: The primary objective of this research is to analyze the efficacy of the Space Syntax method and its key indicators in identifying the crime locations caused by physical and non-physical factors. Further, it investigates whether the software can identify crime locations caused by non-physical factors. Moreover, the research suggests both physical and non-physical interventions towards enhanced security and reduced crime in the study area.
Methodology: The study employed a cognitive map to determine and categorize the places and nature of crime within the study area. The study area was then analyzed with the use of UCL Depth Map software in order to examine its spatial syntax and determine the influence of physical aspects in the creation of crime hotspots.
Conclusion: Through comparison of the derived quantitative and qualitative data, the study confirmed and categorized the physical and non-physical determinants of crime hotspots. The study evaluated the effectiveness of the Space Syntax approach and its most significant criteria in determining crime hotspots. The study concluded that the software cannot identify crime locations resulting from the non-physical determinants.