Application of City Development Strategy for Improvement of Informal Settlements in Iran: Case Study of Mouzirj Neighborhood of Babol

Abstract

Informal settlements are an undesirable consequence of the rapid growth of urbanization in contemporary society and a major challenge facing cities, especially in developing countries. The common policy of government disbanding of informal settlements contradicts the basic human right to shelter. A more realistic and humane approach is tolerance and gradual integration of such areas into the established city. In Iran, in parallel with urbanization, the development of informal settlements is a common phenomenon in contemporary cities. The Mouzirj neighborhood on the western edge of the city of Babol is an informal settlement. It faces physical, economic, social, legal and environmental problems. Providing solutions for improvement of Mouzirj will increase safety and bring the neighborhood into compliance with standards for residential neighborhoods. This study used the City Development Strategy (CDS) to improve this informal settlement in Babol. The research used a descriptiveanalytical approach and field studies to determine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for the SWOT method and develop suitable strategies for improving the informal settlement. Strategies were prioritized using the Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM) model and the solutions were suggested for improving the region.

Reproduction of urban informality in Iran: Its key factors, tools and challenges

“…In general, in researches on urban informality, mainly either theoretical and critical, the role of economic and political structures has been mentioned (AlSayyad, 2004;Roy, 2005;Roy, 2012;Yiftachel, 2009) or some of the current policies of governments in the face of informal settlements in different regions (Alizadeh et al, 2019;Babaei et al, 2012;Bazregar et al, 2014;Gattoni, 2009;Matovu, 2000;Safarabadi et al, 2015) and slums Typologies (Ishtiyaq & Kumar, 2011;Krishna et al, 2014) have been investigated. However, in this research, we have tried to investigate urban informality in Iran with a critical and holistic view using data and documents.…”

“…The benign neglect, forceful evacuation and dislocation of the people (1970s), the PAK public housing policy 1 housing in the 1990s, the empowerment of residents in the 2000s, the Mehr public housing projects, and urban regeneration projects over the last two decades exemplify the anti-poverty efforts (Arefi, 2018;Bayat, 1997). Most research in this period (Aladdin et al, 2011;Alizadeh et al, 2019;Babaei et al, 2012;Bazregar et al, 2014;Makerani, 2006;Safarabadi et al, 2015;Zakerhaghighi et al, 2015;Zebardast, 2009;Zouqi, 2008) has, among other things, recognized the conditions and forms of inequality, along with the policies that addressed informal settlements, but often failed the structures that reproduced poverty. This study, thus, explores a comprehensive and critical overview of the documents and sources, as well as the statistics of official institutions that attempted to analyze the causes of reproducing informal settlements in Iran.…”