Comparative Study of Crime Spatial Patterns in Urban and Pre-Urban Areas by Applying Meta-Synthesis

The change in spatial development patterns from agriculture life into industry and then, service sector, and in response, changes in spatial paradigms of settlement and development, has led to concentration of population and resources of development in cities and mega cities. This concentration is followed by contradictions and conflicts in interests and behavior which can be a contextual preparation for crime along with making improvement in higher degrees of quality in life, especially when physical development of city lacks a comprehensive spatial planning. Thus, this research aimed to study crime patterns and its spatial analysis in urban and peri-urban areas and their application urban planning. On a descriptive-analytical approach and by applying meta-synthesis, it investigates prior research articles on related domain. Results show that factors such as population density and social ecology can prepare opportunities for crime, but different communities respond to such opportunities in different patterns. Comparing results within Iranian cities to other global locations made it clear that the research on patterns of crimes in Iranian cities is distinct from foreign countries’ cities both in terms of form and content. The results and conclusions of this article can be used by urban planners and managers in formulation and implementation of spatial plans and policies especially for high-risk areas.