Today, the concentration of population, infrastructure, and vital land uses in cities has rendered them highly vulnerable to both human-induced threats and natural hazards. In border cities, this issue assumes greater importance due to their geopolitical status, connective functions, and the concentration of administrative and service centers. As a frontier city and the primary transit gateway for pilgrims to the holy shrines, Ilam encompasses a dense cluster of vital, sensitive, and critical land uses, thereby necessitating a precise assessment of its spatial vulnerability and the adoption of planning strategies grounded in the principles of passive defense. In this context, identifying high­risk zones and prioritizing vulnerable elements constitutes a fundamental step toward mitigating potential damages and enhancing urban resilience. The present study was conducted to assess and zone the vulnerability of urban infrastructures and land uses in Ilam from a passive defense perspective. Adopting a descriptive-analytical research design, data were collected through documentary studies and field surveys, including expert interviews and questionnaire administration. A total of 30 indicators associated with vulnerable urban elements were identified. Following the weighting of these indicators using the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP), the corresponding spatial layers were prepared and analyzed within a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. Ultimately, the final vulnerability zoning map of the city was derived through an integrated overlay analysis of the layers. The findings reveal that the central and northwestern sectors of the city are classified within high and very high vulnerability categories, primarily attributable to elevated population density, the overconcentration of critical and sensitive land uses, and inadequate spatial distribution of services. Overall, approximately 52% of the city's total area falls within high and very high vulnerability zones, 12% is situated in moderate vulnerability zones, and 36% lies within low-risk zones. Furthermore, healthcare facilities, administrative­managerial land uses, and communication networks were identified as the most critical elements, carrying the highest vulnerability weights. Accordingly, the study proposes a set of strategic measures, including the balanced spatial redistribution of vital land uses, reduction of functional concentration, reinforcement of supportive infrastructures, and the systematic integration of passive defense requirements into future urban development plans.