Identifying and Analyzing Pre-Earthquake Crisis Management Components to Enhance the Resilience of Ahram City: A Qualitative Study

Shabankareh, Aman Ollah; Khandan, Mina; Zabihi, Hossein

doi:10.48306/juem.2025.530237.1079

Identifying and Analyzing Pre-Earthquake Crisis Management Components to Enhance the Resilience of Ahram City: A Qualitative Study

Authors

Aman Ollah Shabankareh ¹

Mina Khandan ²

Hossein Zabihi ³

¹ Department of Urban Planning, United Arab Emirates Branch, Islamic Azad University, United Arab Emirates.

² Department of Urban Planning, Roudehen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran.

³ Department of Urban Planning, Science and Research Unit, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.48306/juem.2025.530237.1079

Abstract

This study aims to identify and analyze the components of pre-earthquake crisis management to enhance the urban resilience of Ahram City. Urban resilience, as one of the emerging approaches in crisis management, requires simultaneous attention to physical, economic, social, institutional, and cultural-psychological dimensions. Accordingly, this qualitative research employed thematic analysis. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 30 experts in crisis management, urban planning, local governance, and technical fields. The data were analyzed using MaxQDA software through open, axial, and selective coding. The findings revealed that Ahram City's resilience to earthquakes is influenced by five key components. In the physical-environmental dimension, the quality of housing and transportation infrastructure and the management of natural resources are considered vital prerequisites. Economically, economic diversification and financial support for vulnerable businesses and households play a significant role. In the social dimension, citizen participation, social cohesion, and effective communication networks are crucial. The institutional dimension highlights the importance of transparent governance and inter-institutional coordination. The addition of the cultural-psychological dimension to the research model demonstrated that public perception of earthquake risk, psychological preparedness, acceptance of safety education, and belief in individual and collective efficacy are key factors in enhancing soft resilience. The results emphasize the necessity of adopting an integrated and systemic approach to proactive earthquake crisis management, providing a foundation for developing policies and operational programs for Ahram City and similar urban contexts.

Keywords

Urban resilience

crisis management

earthquake

Ahram City

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