2024, Retos, 54.

746-753
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Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design: Numerical investigation of environmental factors

affecting security in sports facilities
Prevención del delito mediante el diseño ambiental: Investigación numérica de los factores
ambientales que impactan la seguridad en las instalaciones deportivas
*Farzad Rezavandzayeri, **Mohammad Rasoul Khodadadi, **Siamak Talatahari
*Universidad de Vigo (España), **Universidad de Tabriz (Irán)

Abstract. Sports are one of the most essential categories of developed and developing societies, among which football, as the most
popular sport in the world, receives special attention from governments. Therefore, to increase the attendance of people in stadiums,
it is necessary for the managers to identify the factors influencing the attendance of spectators, both psychological and internal factors,
as well as external and environmental factors, and to design and implement a written and specific strategy and plan. Having a sense of
security is one of the influential factors in creating satisfaction in the audience. Due to the high cost of building sports facilities and
spaces, care should be taken about many factors and variables, especially the correct location of such spaces, to enable easier access,
fairer distribution, and greater security. Therefore, this research aims to analyze the environmental factors that affect security in sports
facilities with the approach of crime prevention through environmental design in stadiums. The instrument in this research is a ques-
tionnaire on security in sports facilities with the effectiveness of crime prevention through environmental design. Finally, the artificial
neural network system method was used in MATLAB (A 2018) and SPSS (V24) software to analyze the data and answer the research
questions. Environmental factors of access, light and illumination, readability, visibility and natural surveillance, repair and mainte-
nance, dynamics, functional disorders, and guide signs respectively had a positive effect on security and crime prevention through
environmental design in sports facilities. Therefore, sports directors and architects must pay attention to these indicators in the design
of sports stadiums.
Keywords: Stadiums, Sport Management, Sports Events, CPTED Approach, Neural Networks.

Resumen. Los deportes son una de las categorías más esenciales de las sociedades desarrolladas y en desarrollo, entre las cuales el
fútbol, como deporte más popular del mundo, recibe especial atención por parte de los gobiernos. Por tanto, para incrementar la
asistencia de público a los estadios, es necesario que los gestores identifiquen los factores que influyen en la asistencia de espectadores,
tanto psicológicos e internos, como externos y ambientales, y diseñen e implementen un plan escrito y específico. estrategia y plan.
Tener una sensación de seguridad es uno de los factores influyentes a la hora de generar satisfacción en la audiencia. Debido al elevado
coste que supone la construcción de instalaciones y espacios deportivos, se deben cuidar muchos factores y variables, especialmente la
correcta ubicación de dichos espacios, para permitir un acceso más fácil, una distribución más justa y una mayor seguridad. Por ello,
esta investigación tiene como objetivo analizar los factores ambientales que afectan la seguridad en las instalaciones deportivas con el
enfoque de la prevención de delitos a través del diseño ambiental en los estadios. El instrumento de esta investigación es un cuestionario
sobre seguridad en instalaciones deportivas con la efectividad de la prevención de delitos a través del diseño ambiental. Finalmente, se
utilizó el método del sistema de redes neuronales artificiales en los softwares MATLAB (A 2018) y SPSS (V24) para analizar los datos
y responder las preguntas de investigación. Los factores ambientales de acceso, luz e iluminación, legibilidad, visibilidad y vigilancia
natural, reparación y mantenimiento, dinámica, trastornos funcionales y señales guía respectivamente tuvieron un efecto positivo en la
seguridad y prevención de delitos a través del diseño ambiental en instalaciones deportivas. Por tanto, los directores deportivos y
arquitectos deben prestar atención a estos indicadores en el diseño de estadios deportivos.
Palabras claves: Estadios, Gestión Deportiva, Eventos Deportivos, CPTED Enfoque, Redes Neuronales.

Fecha recepción: 28-12-23. Fecha de aceptación: 01-03-24

Farzad Rezavandzayeri
[email protected]

Introduction The security of sports facilities and the maintenance of or-

der and security in stadiums during competitions is one of
The name sports are always associated with health and the most critical concerns of sports directors in the current
wellness, and sports are needed to provide a healthy, clean, situation because the feeling of security and spectator satis-
and pollution-free environment. Therefore, issues such as faction is the most essential and primary source of income
health, welfare, services, and education should be consid- for clubs. Moreover, sports teams are achieved by creating
ered in the construction and equipping of sports facilities a calm and safe environment and, as a result, will increase
(Siedentop & Van der Mars, 2022). Sports facilities provide their number (Hall, Cooper, Marciani, & McGee, 2011a).
good opportunities for different societal groups' emotional, Sports facilities are the platform for performing sports
cognitive, perceptual, and social development (Wankel & activities, and their quality can directly impact the perfor-
Berger, 1990). Creating a safe place for users of sports fa- mance of exercises and holding sports competitions. The
cilities is one of the essential tasks of the directors of these construction of sports facilities requires great care and tact,
facilities (Fried & Kastel, 2020a). Location is one of the so mistakes and negligence occur in the planning, designing,
most important planning considerations for any sports facil- building, and equipping of sports facilities can save time,
ity. Even a good quality sports complex will only succeed if energy, and budget, adversely affecting future performance
individuals use it, know its location, and travel there and recreation (Schwarz, Westerbeek, Liu, Emery, &
(Schwarz, Westerbeek, Liu, Emery, & Turner, 2016a). Turner, 2016b). As they developed communities, ordinary

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people had to travel long distances to see their favorite ment (Skogan, 1992). The primary purpose of sports facil-
sports. This way, the stadiums became more significant, and ities management is a comprehensive investment and spe-
their capacity increased to accommodate more spectators. cial attention of executive directors in securing sports facil-
However, sports directors had trouble controlling the large ities and spaces and educating people about security issues
crowd coming remotely, as no one, including the local to establish security and increase safety in sports competi-
community, riot police, or the stadium's director, was pre- tions. Sports directors, especially protection and safety of-
pared (Wakefield & Sloan, 1995). We have always consid- ficials, should use standards and indicators to determine
ered this issue a problem today, but this problem dates back safety priorities based on their particular importance in sta-
decades ago. Crowd control has been done on trial and er- diums and carefully evaluate how to establish safety and
ror, and many mistakes have been made. However, even- well-being in each match. Predicting imminent events and
tually, we will achieve a correct and principled method to trying to change the status quo is crucial to achieving the
effectively design and manage the stadium. Stadium design desired situation by adhering to standards and securing
solutions have been explored, but the only issue that always sports facilities (Al Mohannadi, 2023). This research, doing
comes up is the stadium's location. This means we can move for the investigation of the appropriate design and effective
most stadiums away from the city center or build them in use of the space and environment built in Takhti stadium of
the suburbs (Chahardovali, Watanabe, & Dastrup, 2023). Tabriz, which leads to the reduction of criminal opportuni-
The Sports institutions, in cooperation with the police ties, the reduction of the fear of crime, and the improve-
and other security forces, are equipping stadiums and gyms ment of the quality of life, for these reasons we have used
with possible planning and continuous efforts in the face of the first generation of the prevention approach crime has
possible catastrophic and abnormal events. However, stadi- been used through environmental design. The second gen-
ums and gyms are not entirely safe during competitions, and eration also emphasizes a socio-economically balanced and
many athletes and coaches go to gyms in fear. This harms ultimately urban society for all sections of society. All the
sports teams' performance, and the rate of sports injuries indicators of the third generation in the form of these com-
increases. The assessment and control of hazards bring com- ponents emphasize the principles of sustainable green de-
fort, cheerfulness, and security to spectators in sports envi- sign.
ronments (Rai, Foroughi, Itani, & Singh, 2023). The par- It can be said the CPTED theory is a new approach that
ticipation of athletes and spectators' acceptance of competi- has a long history. This theory is a product of the 1960s and
tions improves with increasing security at all levels. Despite beyond in the United States. Perhaps never had the built
this, the offenders exploit to harm sports and pollute the environment's impact on crime been addressed so much
sports environments to create harmful consequences. As a (Schneider, 2005). It was after this decade that, because of
result, the main goals of sports directors and officials are to the work of Jane Jacobs in the life and death of America’s
evaluate safety issues and update safety training and safety great cities, Schelmo Angel in the prevention of crime
of all sports environments. Sports safety and security train- through urban design, Elizabeth Wood with the book "So-
ing programs for staff holding events can be a good pro- cial aspects of housing in urban development, this theory
gram. The primary training is a supplementary training pro- and the relationship between environment and crime be-
gram for the existing training program and a screening in- came more apparent. Crime can be defined through envi-
strument for event staff (Spaaij & Schulenkorf, 2014). ronmental design as "appropriate design and effective use
One of the newest and most practical approaches in the of space and environment, which reduces criminal oppor-
field of security is the crime prevention approach using en- tunities, increases fear of crime and improve quality of life"
vironmental design (CPTED) (Ruirui, Jing, Hao, Xiao, & (Wood, 1961). This theory is based on the idea that human
Yee, 2023). Based on studies and surveys conducted in the behavior in the environment is influenced by the design of
field of environmental safety studies in urban spaces, the that environment, which emphasizes that by optimizing the
CPTED approach, which is based on the prevention of opportunities of the observer, a clear definition of the ter-
crimes based on design principles, can be used optimally in ritory and creating a positive image of the environment can
urban environments. CPTED theory is based on the claim be prevented criminals from committing a crime (Larimian,
that with proper design and practical application of the en- Zarabadi, & Sadeghi, 2013).
vironment, and by improving the quality of the living envi- CPTED theory has three generations (Komal &
ronment, crime can be prevented, and the fear of crime can Radhika, 2023). This theory has evolved over the years to
be overcome (Ismail, Jing, Yee, & Shafiei, 2023). include the evolution of this approach, including the first
One of the conditions for people to be present in public generation CPTED from 1960 to 1970, focusing on physi-
spaces is to ensure their sense of security (Francis, Giles- cal environmental modifications to achieve security. The
Corti, Wood, & Knuiman, 2012). Physical abnormalities second generation, since 1980, began with the critique of
are among the factors affecting the reduction of users' sense the first generation for its absolute attention to physical re-
of security in public spaces. The level of security in society form and suggested the use of psychological and social as-
is determined based on three leading indicators: no visual pects as one of the main pillars of security. In fact, given
harassment, no verbal harassment, and no physical harass- that the CPTED approach focused mainly on the physical

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modifications of the artificial environment and paid less at- naire in sports facilities with crime prevention through en-
tention to the psychological and social aspects of the envi- vironmental design (CPTED) approach. Strategies for this
ronment. In 1980, a group of thinkers criticized what approach include creating appropriate access and mobility,
CPTED theorists had hitherto believed to be based on their increasing space oversight, increasing ownership (strength-
lack of attention to Jacobs's theory of "street-watching ening natural territories), supporting activities, environ-
eyes" and based this principle on psychological aspects. And mental readability/management, maintenance, and consol-
the social environment has been paid particular attention to. idation (Minnery & Lim, 2005; Rezavandzayeri, 2019).
The third generation has been proposed since 2000 with a This questionnaire is designed as a range of 5 Likert op-
multilateral model of security expansion to maintain secu- tions from very high to very low, which for a very high score
rity in residential areas (Mihinjac & Saville, 2019). In the is 5, for a high score is 4, for a medium score is 3, for a low
CPTED planning and design process, the participation of score is 2, and for a meager score is 1. In the current ques-
vulnerable groups in society is related to the concept of the tionnaire, questions 1-5 are for the access perspective,
second generation of CPTED, which includes the social di- questions 6-15 for the visibility and natural surveillance per-
mension of CPTED. Some debates have surrounded the so- spective, questions 16-22 for light and illumination, ques-
cial dimension of CPTED, such as participation, because tions 23-26 for the readability perspective, and 27-29 for
empirical evidence has not yet shown that it reduces crime the perspective of the dynamics, 30-37 for the functional
(Lee, Park, & Jung, 2016). Finally, due to the importance disorders, 38-44 for the guide signs and 45-50 for the repair
of security in sports facilities such as stadiums, as well as and maintenance.
their basic construction, the first generation of this ap-
proach was used. This case has been studied in the field of Procedures
urban planning and its impact on security but is a pioneer in The necessary permits were obtained from sports or-
the field of sports. Therefore, the current research aims to ganization of East Azerbaijan in Iran. After all permissions
analyze the environmental factors affecting security in were obtained. The questionnaire was distributed to the us-
sports facilities using the CPTED approach in takhti stadium ers of the stadium, so three hundred questionnaires were
of Tabriz, Iran. collected. All participants and responses to the question-
naires had at least one year of experience with sports activ-
Materials and Methods ities in sports facilities. The data was collected between Au-
gust and October 2022.
Participants
Research method in terms of purpose, this study is in Statistical analysis
the category of applied research and terms of nature, is con- In this study, descriptive and inferential statistical meth-
sidered analytical-descriptive. Three hundred individuals ods using SPSS software and artificial neural networks using
participated in this research and the statistical population MATLAB A 2018 software were used to analyze the data
was the users of takhti stadium in Tabriz. The mean age was and answer the research questions.
(mean=26,98 years); SD=6,27 and the gender frequency
percentage was 67% male and 33% female in Tabriz, Iran. Implementation of artificial neural network models
To obtain the sample, the gender variable was blocked. To The neural network consists of 5 parts: input, weights,
determine the sample size of users of takhti stadium in Ta- bias, performance function, and output. The weights and
briz, after conducting a preliminary study on 30 people biases can be adjusted, and the designer chooses the perfor-
from the statistical population of users and determining the mance function. Based on the selection of the performance
variance of the population, the following formula was used: function and the type of learning algorithm, the parameters
N =
Z 2 S 2 (1) of weight and bias are adjusted, and learning means that by
D2 changing the weight and bias, a logical relationship between
To determine the sample size in nonexperimental stud- inputs and outputs is found (Khodadadi, Talatahari, & Gan-
ies, the allowable error value (d) should be considered. This domi, 2023). The minimum number of layers is 3: input
value is often 0.05. In addition, the reliability coefficient layer, hidden layer, and output layer. The number of addi-
should also be determined, which is 0.95 in most educa- tional layers depends on the accuracy and result of the out-
tional research. In this formula, Z is the value of a standard put data, and the number of neurons in the input layer de-
variable. According to the reliability coefficient, which in pends on the number of inputs. The number of neurons in
the conditions of confidence level is 0.95, is equal to 1.96 the middle layer depends on the judgment and skill of the
and s2 is the variance of the studied variable, and D is an network designer (Mistry, Strock, Liu, Young, & Menon,
error. 2023).
1 / 96 2  0 / 448 2 (2)
n = = 300
0 / 05 2
Histogram diagram
Instruments The method that can be used to analyze the results of
The instrument of this research was a security question- different methods is to draw a histogram diagram of abso-

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lute error frequency distribution. The more similar the er- readability, dynamics, functional disorders, guide signs and
ror frequency histogram of a modeling method is to the nor- repair and maintenance for the takhti stadium was re-
mal distribution, the better the performance of the used viewed.
method. The histogram of the neural network and step-by-
step regression methods are also close to the normal distri- Table 1.
Descriptive statistics of research factors.
bution, indicating that these methods differ from under or Factors Items* Alpha* Min Max Mean SD
over simulator (Peeples, Xu, & Zare, 2021). Access
5 0.86 13.00 25.00 23.29 2.51
Visibility and natural
10 0.79 19.00 48.00 40.98 4.46
surveillance
Regression diagram Light and illumination
7 0.81 11.00 35.00 28.65 3.00
4 0.81 10.00 20.00 18.25 2.10
The regression diagram shows the network's accuracy in Readability
3 0.71 13.00 15.00 11.79 1.81
predicting each component's impact on the security of Dynamics
8 0.71 20.00 40.00 32.14 3.39
Functional disorders
sports facilities. In addition, this diagram shows the close- 7 0.88 13.00 35.00 29.86 3.79
Guide signs
6 0.82 13.00 30.00 26.92 2.82
ness of the network outputs to the fundamental values; the Repair and maintenance
Note1: *Items show the number of questions in each factor of questionnaire.
closer the points are to the diagonal axis of the diagram and
Note2: *Alpha shows the alpha Cronbach in each factor of questionnaire.
accumulate, the closer the output values are to the actual
values (Tretiak, Schollmeyer, & Ferson, 2023).
For all components, 300 data, 210 data for training, 45 Table 2 shows, the results of the artificial neural net-
data for validation, and 45 data for testing have been used, work system for each of the components of the security
with ten neurons in the hidden layer and one neuron in the questionnaire in sports venues with the approach of crime
prevention through environmental design, and the results
output layer. In the following, you can see the histogram
and regression diagrams of all the components of the secu- have been analyzed with the three methods of levenberg,
rity questionnaire in sports facilities with the approach of bayesian and scale. The prediction and results of network
crime prevention through environmental design with Le- training showed the components of access (9.97756e-1),
venberg, Bayesian and Scale methods. light and illumination (9.97452e-1), readability (9.97259e-
1), visibility and natural surveillance (9.96742e-1), repair
Results and maintenance (9.94685e-1), dynamics (9.93611e-1),
functional disorders (9.92697e-1) and guide signs
Table 1 shows, indicators such as average, standard de- (9.72597e-1) respectively from the most to the least, it has
viation, and the maximum and minimum limits for all eight had an impact on security and crime prevention through en-
investigated components, including components of access, vironmental design in sports facilities.
visibility and natural surveillance, light and illumination,

Table 2.
The results of network training, for all components of security in sports facilities with crime prevention through environmental design.
Variables Sample MSE R
210 (TR) *1.59944e-10 **1.40304e-12 ***2.09880e-3 *9.99999e-1 **9.99999e-1***9.97756e-1
Access 45 (V) *2.53425e-4 **0.0000e-0 ***1.68596e-9 *9.99541e-1 **0.0000e-0***9.99999e-1
45 (TE) *2.05536e-5 **1.68596e-9***3.15637e-3 *9.99970e-1 **9.99999e-1***9.90383e-1
210 (TR) *4.00960e-11 **1.83741e- 13***4.47799e-3 *9.99999e-1 **9.99999e-1***9.96742e-1
Visibility and natural surveillance 45 (V) *1.69075e-6 **0.0000e-0 ***5.35227e-3 *9.99997e-1 **0.0000e-0 ***9.86915e-1
45 (TE) *1.07731e-7 **1.06873e- 10***8.44957e-3 *9.99999e-1 **9.99999e- 1 ***9.83805e-1
210 (TR) *5.66308e-12 **1.46173e-9***1.09260e-3 *9.99999e-1 **9.99999e-1 ***9.97452e-1
Light and illumination 45 (V) *5.83092e-11 **0.0000e-0 ***4.15268e-3 *9.99999e-1 **0.0000e-0 ***9.89671e-1
45 (TE) *7.48086e-11 **1.92814e-6 ***1.44844e-3 *9.99999e-1 **9.99998e-1 ***9.96151e-1
210 (TR) *2.99882e-8 **4.28766e-13 ***1.28130e-3 *9.99999e-1 **9.99999e-1 ***9.97259e-1
Readability 45 (V) *6.68771e-6 **0.0000e-0 ***3.33942e-3 *9.99992e-1 **0.0000e-0 ***9.94361e-1
45 (TE) *9.50735e-7 **1.64430e-11 ***1.47047e-3 *9.99997e-1 **9.99999e-1 ***9.97551e-1
210 (TR) *1.00516e-9 **1.40620e-8 ***5.10986e-3 *9.99999e-1 **9.99999e-1 ***9.93611e-1
Dynamics 45 (V) *5.32435e-8 **0.0000e-0 ***4.04553e-3 *9.99999e-1 **0.0000e-0 ***9.93765e-1
45 (TE) *2.72721e-8 **2.15033e-8 ***3.95604e-3 *9.99999e-1 **9.99999e-1 ***9.93623e-1
210 (TR) *1.09260e-12 **2.93220e-13 ***4.24336e-4 *9.99999e-1 **9.99999e-1 ***9.92697e-1
Functional disorders 45 (V) *3.85329e-10 **0.0000e-0 ***7.80433e-4 *9.99999e-1 **0.0000e-0 ***9.98128e-1
45 (TE) *1.10934e-11 **7.48877e-13 ***4.70916e-3 *9.99999e-1 **9.99999e-1 ***9.90217e-1
210 (TR) *5.18377e-12 **1.81887e-13 ***1.57199e-2 *9.99999e-1 **9.99999e-1 ***9.72597e-1
Guide signs 45 (V) *5.73172e-6 **0.0000e-0 ***3.83060e-2 *9.99995e-1 **0.0000e-0 ***9.21969e-1
45 (TE) *2.37723e-7 **2.57973e-12 ***1.87154e-2 *9.99999e-1 **9.99999e-1 ***9.83635e-1
210 (TR) *3.25550e-8 **3.47267e-13 ***4.02204e-3 *9.99999e-1 **9.99999e-1 ***9.94685e-1
Repair and maintenance 45 (V) *1.85504e-7 **0.0000e-0 ***1.70743e-3 *9.99999e-1 **0.0000e-0 ***9.95817e-1
45 (TE) *2.28841e-7 **4.95404e-7 ***7.07676e-3 *9.99998e-1 **9.99999e-1 ***9.88376e-1
Note 1: * Levenberg ** Bayesian *** Scaled. Note 2: (TR): Training (V): Validation (TE): Testing

Figure 1 Shows, the network training predicts that respec- positive effect on security and crime prevention in sports
tively, the components of access, light and illumination, facilities.
readability, and visibility and natural surveillance, have a

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Figure 1. Histogram and Regression diagram for the components of Access, Light and illumination, Readability and Visibility and natural surveillance.

Figure 2 Shows, the network training predicts that respec- ics, functional disorders and guide signs, have a positive ef-
tively, the components of repair and maintenance, dynam- fect on security and crime prevention in sports facilities.

Figure 2. Histogram and Regression diagram for the components of Repair and maintenance, Dynamics, Functional disorders and Guide signs

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Discussion can create a favorable environment for crime in the said

space due to reduced social control. It also disrupts the per-
In this section, by studying the questions in the research, formance of spaces and causes functional disorders in
obtained results with the previous results have been stud- nearby places.
ied, and the obtained results have been explained. Research In line with this research, the use of signs and guides and
has shown that according to the results obtained from the timely repair and maintenance of sports facilities are factors
system of artificial neural networks, network training pre- influencing the security of sports facilities. Therefore, any
dicted that the access index is one of the critical factors in sign or logo can help to recognize different areas of sports
preventing crime in stadiums. The sports facilities should be facilities and prevent people from getting confused when
located so the user groups can access them in the shortest accessing administrative and sports spaces. The main sports
possible distance and time (Gallardo, Almagro Nieto, Mar- facilities, traffic sign boards, safety and security warning
tinez Moreno, Zurita Ortiz, & Macia Andreu, 2022). Also, boards, and indicator boards leading to the primary and
the most crucial criterion in locating sports spaces is ease of emergency entrances and exits of sports facilities signifi-
access. This criterion applies to all sports centers, from the cantly prevent crime and create safety and security. These
smallest to the largest. Without a proper access network, results are in line with the research results of (Cozens, Hill-
there will be broad traffic disputes around the sports center. ier, & Prescott, 2001; Duignan, Pappalepore, Smith, & Iva-
Also, training facilities should have suitable sports facilities nescu, 2022; Hall, Cooper, Marciani, & McGee, 2011b;
for easier access. That is, the design of educational facilities Wood, 1961) and indicate that signs and boards provide
should be considered and implemented so that the public easy access for users to spaces as well as times of crisis and
can use the sports space and place during the holidays (Ah- Danger, signs show emergency routes to users. The repair
madi, Honari, Shahlaee, Kargar, & Ghafouri, 2022; Fried & and maintenance index are one of the essential factors to
Kastel, 2020b). On the other hand, the index of natural vi- prevent crime in stadiums. They are considering that we al-
sion and supervision is one of the critical factors in prevent- ways believe that prevention is better than cure. Therefore,
ing crime in stadiums. This indicator refers to the presence the necessary measures should be taken before any accident
of a security guard on the premises and the monitoring of occurs. These results align with the research results of (An-
places by surveillance cameras (Chalmers & Frosdick, drade, Muñoz, & Rosell, 2023; Kurland, Johnson, & Tilley,
2011). 2014; Youssef, 2022) It is suitable for urban spaces and ad-
These results align with the results of (Seifi, Abdullah, ministrative and sports places, and any possible dangers and
Haron, & Salman, 2019) natural monitoring in line with the crimes are also prevented. Finally, the present results
security of urban spaces. They indicate that spaces and proved that compliance with the components of crime pre-
places with good natural visibility and monitoring have a vention through environmental design positively affects the
high level of security (Koskela, 2003). Based on the inter- security of sports facilities. One of the main strengths of this
pretations obtained from the research analysis, it can be paper is its innovation in the field of sport. This study also
predicted that the light and brightness index is one of the had the limitation that the researcher was not allowed to
critical factors in preventing crime in stadiums. Adequate enter the women's training area to distribute further ques-
lighting and lighting in sports facilities prevents crime and tionnaires due to the laws of the country. The researcher
miscellaneous people from entering the stadium by realiz- was only allowed to distribute the questionnaires to them
ing that the ambient light is appropriate and likely to be outside the sports facilities and complete the question-
seen, so the lighting should be fixed and resistant to dam- naires. Other limitations of this study include the lack of
age. These results, with the results of research based on the resources in the area of security and crime prevention in
effectiveness of appropriate light and brightness in the secu- sports facilities through environmental design, which posed
rity and quantity and quality of light, are essential factors in a challenge to the researcher.
providing lighting. It affects the citizens' sense of security.
In other words, light and illumination affect large stadiums, Conclusion
places, and entertainment centers, so today, light is suitable
for sports environments. Media and television activities are Environmental factors of access, light and illumination,
also of great importance. Proper lighting in places makes it readability, visibility and natural surveillance, repair and
possible to plan more and use them optimally (Culley & maintenance, dynamics, functional disorders, and guide
Pascoe, 2009; Geliot, Coesfeld, & Kyba, 2022; Uhrich & signs respectively had a positive effect on security and crime
Koenigstorfer, 2009). Also, the readability of spaces reveals prevention through environmental design in sports facili-
how to access public places such as public parking lots and ties. Therefore, sports directors and architects must pay at-
clearly defines entrances and exits so that everyone quickly tention to these indicators in the design or rebuilding of
understands the information in the space. Good readability sports stadiums.
and atmosphere eliminate the need for safety, aesthetics,
and navigation (Erçin & Al Hindwan, 2023; Gibson, 2009; Conflicts of interest
Vaitkevičiūtė, 2019). On the other hand, if a space is not
used due to insecurity, that space loses its dynamism, which The authors certify that there is no conflict of interest

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2024, Retos, 54. 746-753
© Copyright: Federación Española de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educación Física (FEADEF) ISSN: Edición impresa: 1579-1726. Edición Web: 1988-2041 (https://recyt.fecyt.es/index.php/retos/index)

with any financial organization regarding the material dis- design for public places Princeton Architectural Press.
cussed in the paper. Hall, S., Cooper, W. E., Marciani, L., & McGee, J. M.
(2011a). Security management for sports and special
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Datos de los autores y traductor:

Farzad Rezavandzayeri [email protected] Autor/a

Mohammad Rasoul Khodadadi [email protected] Autor/a
Siamak Talatahari [email protected] Autor/a
Farzad Rezavandzayeri [email protected] Traductor/a

-753- Retos, número 54, 2024 (marzo)