نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
عنوان مقاله English
نویسنده English
This paper reviews one of the factors that cause urban development to be unsustainable, namely the informal settlements. These settlements are physical appearance of poverty in urban settlements that in terms of the formation and evolution, over time different trends covered. In this regard, this paper as a case study, Vali-e-Asr Neighborhood of Arak city has been choices. For this, a synthesis of two methods –secondary data analysis (documentary) and survey- used. Sample size calculated with using Cochrane formula. This has been equivalent 337 samples. The results of research indicate that rural-urban migrations perform a key role in the formation and expansions of this neighborhood. The percent of people youth is considerable and family dimension in this Neighborhood is more than Iran and Arak city. Low cost land and housing in this neighborhood besides the financial inability of rural residents and migrants has provided proper context for the spread of this neighborhood. Population density in this Neighborhood is much more than Arak city and even average population density others informal settlements. This neighborhood in terms of enjoyment of infrastructure and public facilities are in good condition, but in terms of economic characteristics have not good conditions, as that the neighborhood unemployment rate on average is equal to 35 percent. Existence rate of Literacy equivalent with Arak city, High housing ownership among households and precedence of habitancy more than 40 alongside the enjoyment of neighborhoods from infrastructures and public facilities are of positive points that provided a proper ground for Rehabilitation of informal settlements. According to research findings, it seems that for empoverment and improvement of this neighborhood we must concentrated strategies on three dimensions including economic, social-cultural and physical. The efforts on these dimensions should be coordinated together.
کلیدواژهها English
Extended Abstract
Informal settlements represent one of the most prominent manifestations of urban poverty. Over the past few decades, these areas have expanded not only in large metropolitan areas and major cities, but also in medium-sized and even smaller cities. Given the significance of this issue and the fact that a substantial portion of the country's population resides in such areas, numerous national documents and legislative frameworks have addressed this matter. Accordingly, the present study aims, in its first step, to properly problematize the issue by examining and analyzing the economic, social, physical, and infrastructural characteristics of Valiasr neighborhood, which constitutes one of Arak’s informal settlement zones. Subsequently, it seeks to apply the empowerment approach to propose strategic and operational solutions that enhance the quality of life in the studied area and contribute to sustainable urban development. Given the considerable research gap regarding informal settlements in the city of Arak, the findings of this study have the potential to offer meaningful insights and practical directions for future interventions in the regeneration and organization of Arak’s informal neighborhoods.
2. Materials and Methods
The research method employed in this article is a combination of secondary data analysis (documentary method) and a survey-based approach. The statistical population of the study includes all households residing in the informal settlement area of the Valiasr neighborhood in Arak city. The primary data collection instrument used in this study was a survey administered through structured questionnaires distributed to residents. Since the data collected were descriptive in nature, the presentation of the findings and the analysis of the current situation were also conducted using descriptive methods. In this research, by reviewing theoretical foundations, previous studies, and existing available data, the prevailing conditions of the informal settlement of Valiasr were analyzed. In the first step, five main domains were identified for analysis as economic, social, physical, infrastructural, and public facilities. Subsequently, to enable more accurate evaluation and analysis of these domains, specific indicators were developed for each category, resulting in a total of more than 50 indicators. These indicators, categorized by their respective domains, include the Social Domain, Economic Domain, Physical Domain, Infrastructural Domain, and Public Facilities and Amenities.
3. Results and Discussion
A significant portion of the neighborhood’s population consists of migrants. The proportion of migrants to the total population in Valiasr neighborhood is 46.4 percent. Migrants from rural areas in Arak County and other rural parts of Markazi Province mainly influence the migration origin pattern. The proportion of rural migrants to the total migrant population in Valiasr is 71.1 percent. The most significant migration-driving force is the pull factors, whereas push factors have played a relatively minor role.
The unemployment rate in the studied area is considerably higher than the urban average. The unemployment rate in the Valiasr neighborhood is significantly higher than the urban and provincial averages, standing at approximately 35 percent. Unskilled labor constitutes a substantial share of the workforce in Valiasr, accounting for about 50 percent of all employed individuals.
A majority of the residents of the Valiasr neighborhood are both land and property owners of their dwellings. According to the findings, about 75.2 percent of residents own both the land and the building of their residential units. The majority of households in the study area prefer living in single-family homes. Accordingly, most residential units are designed for single households. In Valiasr, single-family residential units comprise approximately 83 percent of the total, while two-family residential units account for around 15 percent.
The level of access to sewage infrastructure in Valiasr is also very high, with nearly 100 percent of the area benefiting from a functioning sewage system. The level of access to household electricity and fixed-line telephone service is also significant. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of the housing units in this neighborhood are connected to the domestic gas network. Regarding the sanitary disposal of household waste, Valiasr is in a favorable position.
Based on an understanding of the current conditions of the area, and considering the objectives and mission outlined for the empowerment approach, as well as an analysis of the neighborhood’s characteristics across various dimensions, alongside its existing potential and deficiencies, the most important goals and missions for Valiasr neighborhood were formulated across three main domains as economic, socio-cultural, and physical. For each domain, a general objective and primary mission were defined, followed by the identification and formulation of key strategies. After defining these strategies, operational solutions in the form of programs and projects can be developed to support their implementation.
4. Conclusion
Informal settlements not only suffer internally from instability and low standards of living, but due to their socio-economic characteristics, they also contribute to the overall instability of the broader urban texture. In the previous section, proposals tailored to different sectors of the neighborhood were presented in detail. However, there are specific considerations that must be taken into account when formulating any empowerment program for informal settlements, including the following:
· The necessity of developing thematic and localized urban plans specifically for informal settlements, taking into account the unique characteristics of each area and its socio-economic context.
· Fostering identity within informal neighborhoods and enhancing the social and cultural identity of residents through the provision of suitable infrastructure, particularly through programs that emphasize soft interventions (community development, cultural engagement) rather than purely physical or “hard” infrastructure.
· Creating the conditions for residential security and recognizing the right to housing in informal settlements as a fundamental variable and prerequisite for generating a sense of place and increasing resident participation in efforts to improve neighborhood quality.
Organizing vocational and technical training programs for residents of informal settlements aimed at improving their livelihoods and enhancing employment opportunities.
