Journal of Environmental Science Studies

Journal of Environmental Science Studies

Identifying strategies to improve the livability of informal settlements (Case study: informal settlements in area 4 of Rasht city).

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Saber Kas kozani 1
seyed ali alavi 2
hadi Eskandari Ein Eldin 3
1 PhD student in Geography and Urban Planning, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Associate Professor of Geography and Urban Planning, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
3 PhD in Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran.
10.22034/jess.2025.506842.2352
Abstract
Livability as a concept can be very broad or limited depending on the context and field in which it is defined. However, the quality of life in any place is of interest and includes a wide variety of measurable indicators, and urban livability is a new look at the city and its citizens in order to increase the quality of life of people in the new era. The concept of livability means the ability of a place to meet the biological needs of its residents, both material and non-material, in order to improve the quality of life and create a platform for the growth of the capabilities of all citizens. Today, living conditions in cities must be improved in order to maintain the dignity of individuals in the form of urban livability. In this regard, the aim of this applied research is to identify strategies for improving the livability of informal settlements within the neighborhoods of District 4 of Rasht city. Using a descriptive-analytical method and using documentary and library data, field research, appropriate statistical methods, and the SWOT method, it has been concluded that the neighborhoods of District 4 have a lot of space for improving livability. In this regard, in order to use the opportunities and optimize them in urban livability, it faces a series of weaknesses and threats that are a major obstacle to realizing these potentials. In this article, the factors affecting livability were identified.

Introduction
The world is currently experiencing a completely new era of urbanization. In this process, a staggering 45 million new residents are being added to the cities and towns of the world's poorer countries every year, which, in addition to structural inadequacies, has also led to poor access to services and social polarization. However, due to the different problems facing developing countries in terms of scale, it is necessary for planning initiatives to be based on different foundations, as Williams and Taylor (1982) pointed out that planning in developing societies requires more emphasis on social programs than physical planning (Potter-Taylor, 2005: 47). One of the important problems that has arisen as a result of rapid developments and subsequent inappropriate planning in metropolitan areas is the problem of deterioration of the quality of the fabric, deterioration and, as a result, urban poverty. In planning theories, urban poverty is a multidimensional phenomenon that is physically represented and mainly concentrated in problematic and disorderly urban areas such as dilapidated urban areas, informal settlements, and settlements on the outskirts of cities. It requires an appropriate approach to planning to solve problems, develop, and empower in all dimensions. In fact, one of the consequences of unbridled urban growth is the creation and increasing growth of informal settlements in megacities as a clear manifestation of urban poverty. Informal settlements in third world countries, on the one hand, offer a solution to the housing problem of low-income households, but on the other hand, they offer a low quality of life for residents and create problems for the rest of the city. Signs of the low quality of life in these communities can be seen in the low level of literacy, especially among women, and the high share of immigrants in the total resident population, lack of proper and minimal access to urban facilities and amenities (such as water, gas, electricity, telephone, etc.), high density and rapid population growth, inadequate sanitary environment, improper water supply system, construction of units without observing technical standards and criteria, inadequate street lighting, poor street coverage, and the lack and absence of educational spaces and health centers, the low durability and primitiveness of most building materials in the construction process, spontaneous growth, employment of neighborhood residents in the informal sector of the economy, reliance on local resources and household income, limited and low activity, skills acquired outside the formal system, user-friendly and adaptable technology.
Materials and methods
This research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of nature and methodology. The method of collecting information is documentary (library) and partly field (survey). In the documentary method, information from the Rasht Municipality in its subordinate areas and information on the population and housing of the city for human studies was used, and in the field method, urban maps and satellite images were prepared and experts from the Rasht Municipality and other related departments were questioned, as well as field observations and interviews. In addition to the above, the results and findings of the second and third comprehensive and detailed plans of Rasht were also used. The statistical population of the research will include experts, urban managers who are knowledgeable and informed about the informal settlements of Rasht Region 4, numbering 15 people, as well as residents of the studied neighborhoods, who will be selected and randomly questioned using two methods: purposive sampling and sampling among the residents of the neighborhoods (approximately 384 questionnaires) and calculated based on Morgan's table. To analyze the data and present strategies, a combined SWOT strategic analysis model, the quantitative strategic planning model (QSPM), and the DEMATEL technique were used.
Results and discussion
In today's world, cities have become the main place of residence and activity, and urbanization has become the dominant way of life. Urbanization, as a phenomenon that, due to the interaction of various and necessary aspects of modern life, has become one of the important factors affecting the individual and social health of citizens and the manifestation of a network of complex social relationships, is also the basis and shaper of many fundamental challenges in the lives of citizens. Livability is an approach to achieving sustainable urban development and a set of characteristics that make the city environment an attractive place to live. These characteristics can be divided into tangible characteristics (access to appropriate urban infrastructure) and intangible characteristics (sense of place, local identity, etc.). In fact, livability contributes to economic, social, biological and physical well-being and leads to the personal development of all residents of a city or region.
Conclusion
In today's world, cities have become the main place of residence and activity, and urbanization has become the dominant way of life. Urbanization, as a phenomenon that, due to the interaction of various and necessary aspects of modern life, has become an important factor affecting the individual and social health of citizens and a manifestation of a network of complex social relationships, is also the basis and shaper of many fundamental challenges in the lives of citizens. Livability is an approach to achieving sustainable urban development and a set of characteristics that make the city environment an attractive place to live. These characteristics can be divided into tangible characteristics (access to appropriate urban infrastructure) and intangible characteristics (sense of place, local identity, etc.). In fact, livability contributes to economic, social, biological and physical well-being and causes the personal development of all residents of a city or region, and its key principles include justice, dignity, access, intimacy, participation and empowerment. Meanwhile, issues related to livability have become more acute in countries like Iran due to the rapid growth rate of the metropolitan population. Accordingly, the present study was conducted with the aim of improving the livability of District 4 of Rasht city. Livability is one of the greatest ideas of urban planning in the contemporary era, and creating livability among third world cities is a worrying issue. In the meantime, the results showed that despite the high opportunities, District 4 faces weaknesses and threats that prevent these opportunities and potentials from becoming actualized in order to reduce weaknesses and prevent damage. Therefore, the following strategies have been proposed to improve livability.
Keywords
Identifying strategies
livability
informal settlements
Region 4
Rasht city
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Journal of Environmental Science Studies
Volume 10, Issue 2
Spring 2025
Pages 9985-10000