Urban Development Policy Making

Urban Development Policy Making

Fire Safety Management and Strategies for Its Improvement in Tehran Metropolis: A Study on Structural, Operational, and Socio-Cultural Challenges

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 PhD in Environmental Science, Tehran Metropolitan Fire Department and Safety Services Organization, Tehran, Iran
2 PhD in Architectural Engineering, Senior Expert, Deputy of Prevention, Tehran Metropolitan Fire Department and Safety Services Organization, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/judpm.2025.517687.1034
Abstract
This research aims to analyze the structural, functional, and socio-cultural challenges in fire safety management within the metropolis of Tehran and to propose strategies for its enhancement, drawing upon empirical evidence and qualitative analysis. Given the critical role of fire safety in urban sustainability and the protection of citizens' lives and property, this study investigates existing obstacles by focusing on three key dimensions: structurally, the necessity for infrastructure improvement and the imbalanced growth of urbanization; functionally, the need for modernization in equipment, processes, and inter-organizational coordination; and socio-culturally, the imperative to raise public awareness and citizen participation in adhering to safety principles. The findings indicate that these challenges systematically affect the efficiency of fire safety management in Tehran. In response to these impediments, three categories of strategies are proposed: (1) preventive strategies, including the revision of regulations, improvement of inspection systems, and promotion of a safety culture; (2) reactive and resilient strategies, such as strengthening the operational capabilities of relevant organizations and developing rescue and relief infrastructure; and (3) institutional-managerial strategies, such as establishing a central authority responsible for safety, efficient resource allocation, and promoting integrated governance. The effective implementation of these strategies necessitates the active participation of all stakeholders and the formulation of synergistic policies to enhance urban resilience against fire incidents.
Keywords

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Volume 2, Issue 4
Winter 2026
Pages 511-525

  • Receive Date 05 June 2025
  • Revise Date 02 July 2025
  • Accept Date 23 August 2025
  • Publish Date 11 September 2025