Urban Economics and Planning

Urban Economics and Planning

Evaluation of Economic-Social Characteristics of Informal Settlements in Tabriz City

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Naser Mohammadi Mivehrood 1
Karim Hosseinzadeh Dalir 2
Daruosh Sattarzadeh 3
1 Ph.D. Candidate of Urban Planning, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Marand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marand, Iran
3 Associate Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
10.22034/uep.2024.466307.1512
Abstract
Introduction 
In this research, the issue of the resilience of socio-economic characteristics in informal settlements in Tabriz emphasizes urban challenges. Therefore, the challenges of Tabriz city in terms of informal settlements are characterized by the lack of urban open spaces, high cost of living, insufficient infrastructure, and poor housing quality. To achieve the goal of this research, infrastructures are considered as physical, socio-economic, and environmental facilities created for effective and efficient performance in urban contexts. The issues related to informal settlements in this research are based on the definition of the United Nations, which in 2006 defined it as “areas that have a geographical space with a function lower than the standard of planning required in cities. The standards adopted for planning Vary from country to country. Therefore, standardized planning in this article is related to the context of the study area. Also, this definition includes housing with evidence of substandard housing, degraded and damaged environmental conditions, the random arrangement of buildings with nested passages, and the creation of places for crime from a social point of view. Considering the global perspective of these challenges (poor infrastructure and low quality of life in informal settlements) and their potential in all countries of the world, this study deals with the evaluation of the socio-economic characteristics in response to urban resilience in informal settlements according to the understanding of the existing situation and the inadequacy of infrastructure in such neighborhoods in the city of Tabriz.
Materials and Methods
This study uses the case study method, in which the informal settlements of Tabriz city were examined. Experts and interviewers were selected from the neighborhood residents to collect data and study the research. The triangulation method was used for data collection. Data collection is through two or more approaches, which is necessary for the study to confirm and strengthen the collected data. The method of data triangulation in this research is that the information collection strategy includes primary sources of data collection and secondary sources of data collection with more than one approach (qualitative and quantitative data collection). The primary sources of data collection were identification survey, observation, and indirect (unstructured) interaction with residents and selected experts. Also, 383 structured questionnaires (383 questionnaires) were implemented in the informal settlements of Tabriz city, and 370 questionnaires were analyzed. For better understanding, an online questionnaire was implemented with experts, and 30 questionnaires were analyzed for this study. The secondary sources of data adopted include the review of texts related to the content and context related to the texts related to the focus of the research. This serves as a platform for the research concepts, data collection, and analysis used in this study. The data were analyzed using a mixed method (quantitative and qualitative method of data analysis). The quantitative method includes the structural equation analysis method with second-order confirmatory factor analysis and regression analysis. In contrast, the qualitative method consists of pages and descriptive tools used to interpret interviews. The data were analyzed, and the results of the findings were integrated to reflect the socio-economic characteristics of informal settlements in terms of resilience in the study area. Socio-economic factors and resilience of informal settlements were determined, and suggestions were made based on those characteristics. This research was conducted to extract specific and general knowledge of the strength of Tabriz city, especially the informal settlements of Tabriz city, about informal settlement and socio-economic planning.
Findings
The results of the analysis of the research data indicate that the characteristics of trust in the people of the neighborhood in the face of crises by the residents of informal settlements and the desire to participate and form various institutions in these areas have a mutual relationship with the socio-economic components of the people. Therefore, achieving economic resources and social values on one hand and socio-economic structures on the other will promote resilience in informal settlements and, as a result, provide social resilience. Realizing these indicators significantly increases people’s self-confidence, the ability to solve problems in times of crisis, create different solutions, and improve their self-efficacy. Also, proper planning in the personal and social dimensions of informal settlements, by empowering them, can improve people’s resilience against problems and crises, improve individual efficiency, reduce stress and anxiety when accidents occur, and increase cooperative spirit to overcome various issues.
Conclusion
This study recommends the following and concludes: 1. The government should consider building strength and housing plans in the informal settlements of Tabriz city. to accommodate the large population of low-income citizens. 2. Local management should adopt a comprehensive design approach as much as possible; the local government should educate the people (citizens) well and create a better awareness and sensitivity to what currently exists in their residence. Slow Also, the role and benefits of the people (citizens) and the government should be clearly stated to achieve a comprehensive design and the success of the projects started about the informal settlements of Tabriz city. 3. Also, existing policies on criteria for achieving some of the government’s public housing regulations should be reviewed with the Citizens’ Participation Forum (informal settlements). This situation seems ridiculous from the point of view of the interviewees, and it is even assumed to be part of the origin of notoriety. Because people believe that to reach such standards, a person must be inferior. Therefore, the allocation condition should not be presented or created in such a way as to create injustice. 4. Public education and enlightenment should also be done to avoid defaming the occupiers of public housing in the informal settlements of Tabriz city. 5. Economic policy reforms should also be done to encourage equal economic development or at least reduce the gap between the rich and the poor in terms of the country’s economic output.
Keywords
City Development
Tabriz Metropolis
Tourism
Urban Development Plans

Subjects

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Urban Economics and Planning
Volume 5, Issue 2
Spring 2024
Pages 138-151

  • Receive Date 05 July 2024
  • Revise Date 24 July 2024
  • Accept Date 28 July 2024