Structure-Function Analysis of Crowd Safety Governance Systems: Institutional Implications from Cross-National Comparison

This study conducts a comparative analysis of national crowd safety governance systems, focusing on the alignment between structural design and functional effectiveness. By examining five country cases, the research identifies critical variations in legal foundations, organizational arrangements, and implementation tools that shape the ability to prevent, coordinate, and respond to crowd-related risks. Using a structure-function analytical framework and typological classification, the study highlights how centralized and integrated models offer enforceability and standardization, while decentralized and adaptive models provide flexibility and context-sensitive responses. Each governance type presents trade-offs between reliability and adaptability, reflecting the “crisis management paradox.” The findings suggest that hybrid governance—combining hierarchical command with networked collaboration—is most effective for crowd safety. Recommendations emphasize institutional coherence, multi-agency trust, and dynamic field coordination. This integrated approach supports international policy learning and capacity-building to prevent avoidable crowd disasters.