Analyzing the Regularities of the Formation and Expansion of Informal Settlements in Rural Areas with an Emphasis on the Privacy of Metropolises (Case Study: Villages within the Privacy of Tehran Metropolis)

Extended Abstract

Introduction

During the last few decades, the process of population expansion of human settlements located in the privacy of the metropolises has been greatly influenced by the processes and trends governing the metropolises. Meanwhile, settling the population in rural areas in this space in various forms, including informal settlements and poor areas, is one of the major challenges in these areas. Due to the nature of this phenomenon, the organization and management methods, as well as many other dimensions and the novelty for local and rural management, and the lack of necessary experience in this field, attention is needed in various research, legal-policy-making, planning, and managerial-executive levels. The purpose of this research is to analyze the ruling laws, including the analysis of dimensions, components, and various institutional, economic, and spatial factors on the process of formation and expansion of informal settlements within the boundaries of villages located in the privacy of metropolises, with an emphasis on Tehran city.



Methodology

This exploratory research is descriptive-analytical in nature. The research methodology is qualitatively based on ethnographic content analysis. Data collected includes textual data produced through semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted with 26 participants relevant to the subject matter. The study population consists of experts, university professors, professional community experts (consulting engineers), managers, and experts from relevant institutions related to informal housing at national and regional levels. Various research techniques, such as content analysis, coding, and classification using MAXQDA software, were used to identify factors affecting informal settlement formation and expansion. The study area is also made up of villages located in the privacy of Tehran.



Results and discussion

Based on the findings of the research, 39 main categories were identified in the form of 5 main themes, including "geographical-environmental-biological deterrents and attractors," "social-economic motivations and incentives," "lack of implementation of plans and programs," "gaps and inefficiencies in laws, regulations, and rules," and "inadequacy and weakness of management-executive structures" as the most critical factors affecting the formation and expansion of informal settlements in the villages located in the privacy of Tehran metropolis at macro and regional/local levels, they were identified and emphasized as follows.



Effective factors in the formation and growth of informal settlements in rural areas:

• Existence of natural disasters and manufactured crises;

• Migration and population changes at national, regional, and local levels;

• Change in settlement patterns and employment in the country due to climate crises;

• Unequal distribution of power, wealth, and income;

• Poverty resulting from sanctions, shocks, and macroeconomic and social deficiencies;

• Disparity between urban areas and villages;

• Monosectoral nature and lack of rural economic capacity;

• Rising costs of formal construction projects and lack of affordable housing supply for low-income individuals;

• Lack of access to formal credit systems for low-income individuals;

• Inefficiency of housing markets in response to the needs of low-income groups;

• Centralization in national development plans;

• Lack of clear and effective rural development policies at development-prone areas;

• Lack of alignment between housing supply policies with low-income conditions;

• Absence of a plan for population settlement and land management activities;

• Lack of national, regional, and local policies for preventing informal rural settlement expansion;

• Absence of national, regional, and local policies for organizing population activities;

• Lack of spatial strategies and political will in government decision-making to address the issue;

• Gaps in laws and regulations controlling population management in urban surroundings;

•Loss and inefficiency of urban development regulations in providing housing for low-income individuals;

• Presence of suitable geographical conditions for growth and expansion in the privacy;

• Existence of employment opportunities in the mother city, especially in the informal sector;

• Saturation of population capacity in metropolises and satellite cities;

• Cultural-economic affinity of migrants with the resident population in rural areas;

• Existence of industrial, commercial, and production centers in the urban area and the need for workforce;

• Lower land, housing, and rent prices compared to the mother city;

• Proximity of villages to the mother city and access to services and facilities in the city;

• Presence of speculation in the informal land and housing market;

• Income generation perspective on construction activities in rural areas;

• Existence of political-administrative and functional spatial disparities in the population housing system;

• Marginalization of low-income individuals in housing provision plans;

• Multiplicity of laws and regulations with different executors within the area;

• Neglecting construction activities due to political-security implications;

• Ambiguity in property ownership within privacy of city;

• Failure to implement approved local, urban, and regional plans;

• Inadequacy of responsible agencies in prevention and organization;

• Weakness of sectoral and local plans to meet the shelter needs of low-income individuals;

• Increased control over construction activities within city limits and inadequate control in villages;

• Weakness and inadequacy in monitoring and controlling construction activities within privacy of city.



Conclusion

Rather than regional structures, national changes and policies influence informal settlements in peri-urban areas around Tehran more. Centralizing political, administrative, and service centers has predisposed Tehran to population concentration. Limited land, infrastructure, services, employment opportunities, income opportunities, and access to conventional living services have attracted migrants from other parts of Iran, pushing some residents from official urban areas towards surrounding villages.



Keywords: Poverty, Spatial Inequality, Rural Informal Settlements, Privacy, Tehran Metropolis.