The Future City and the Challenge of Crowd Congestion in Public Spaces: A Resilient Approach to Emergency Evacuation in Cultural Venues (Case Study: Simorgh Cinema, Mashhad)

In response to the rising challenges posed by emergency evacuations in public spaces, this study investigates the effectiveness of evacuation strategies in cultural venues, with a specific focus on the Simorgh Cinema Complex in Mashhad, Iran. Using Pathfinder simulation software, eight evacuation scenarios were analyzed to assess the impact of structural and non-structural modifications. The results indicated that by optimizing seating layouts and adjusting exit routes, evacuation times could be reduced significantly, from ۱۰۸ seconds to ۷۱ seconds under normal conditions, and from ۶۶ seconds to ۳۷ seconds during emergencies. The study highlights the importance of reducing seating density, suggesting that a decrease from ۴۵۲ to ۴۴۰ seats results in more efficient evacuation and improved crowd safety. The research offers valuable insights into enhancing the resilience of cultural spaces in urban environments.

Keywords:

Emergency Evacuation , Crowd Safety , Cultural Venues , Simulation , Resilient Design , Urban Planning