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Concept of dwelling in informal settlements located in metropolitan areas of Iran case study: Morteza Gerd

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Abstract

The concept of dwelling is complicated and dynamic. Since the existing theories and perspectives on the concept of dwelling are often presented for the conditions and structures of formal settlements, they are inefficient for informal settlements. Due to the mental existence and interactive nature of the concept of dwelling, various residents have different experiences and perceptions of it. Therefore, the expansion of the informal settlements with various features and diverse types makes it necessary to accurately study and recognize them. The present study aims to recognize the residents' perception and experience of dwelling and investigate how it and related concepts are conceptualized in informal settlements in metropolitan areas by studying Morteza Gerd Informal Settlement in Tehran Metropolitan Area as a case study. This study is interpretive research emphasizing the researcher's interaction with the case study and the minimum objective distance with the participants. To this end, Corbin and Strauss's (Basics of qualitative research: techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory, Sage Publications, 2014) grounded theory is applied to interpret the data collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews and field observations to achieve theoretical saturation. The research findings indicate that the concept of dwelling is dynamic, and its defining components, such as calmness, tranquility, and security, take different meanings over time and are transformed. Their meanings change during three phases of dwelling through living in the context of a large family, intergroup conflict and competition, and replacement, displacement, and being absorbed into other areas. In all the phases mentioned, the core theme of the “dwelling” concept is the anti-deprivation of the residents and their efforts to enhance their capital and quality of life.

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Notes

  1. Although informal settlements are generally considered slums, they have various types, formation processes, and patterns. According to various typological theories, informal settlements are classified into the following types: inner-city informal settlements, informal settlements on the fringe of metropolitans, and large cities (located in metropolitan areas), informal settlements on the fringe of medium and small cities, and resettlement (Ishtiyaq & Kumar, 2011). Considering the research objectives, it was decided to study the informal settlements in metropolitan areas in the present study for the following reasons: the importance of metropolitans and large cities, attraction of population, and as a result, the greater population of the informal settlements formed on the periphery of them, the possibility of recognizing different lifestyles in them compared to inner-city informal settlements because later is more influenced by the urban life and culture due to being in the center of cities.

  2. In the present study, Morteza Gerd Informal Settlement was selected as the case study for the following reasons: a small number of studies on it due to its new formation (particularly from 2009 onward), which results in the achievement of more novel data and increased novelty of the research, being adapted to the informal settlement indicators, and being in the group of informal settlements in metropolitan areas. For more information on the indicators mentioned, refer to: Ahmadi and Habibi (2019).

    It must be noted that before selecting Morteza Gerd Informal settlement as the case study of the present research, several informal settlements were initially studied and Morteza Gerd Informal settlement was selected considering two factors: (1) To have novelty in the selection of the case study and avoiding the cases frequently investigated in previous studies; and (2) To be adapted to the informal settlement indicators identified in the primary research, theoretical foundations, and research background.

  3. Refer to: Ahmadi and Habibi (2019).

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  1. Urban Planning, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Faculty of Urban Planning, Tehran University of Art, Tehran, Iran

    Sara Ahmadi & Mitra Habibi

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  1. Sara Ahmadi
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Ahmadi, S., Habibi, M. Concept of dwelling in informal settlements located in metropolitan areas of Iran case study: Morteza Gerd. GeoJournal 88, 2083–2100 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-022-10735-z

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