Migrants, Mobility and Urban Low-Income Housing in Developing Countries: A Case Study of Squatter Settlement in Tehran, Iran

Mahmoudkalayeh, Ehsan (1991) Migrants, Mobility and Urban Low-Income Housing in Developing Countries: A Case Study of Squatter Settlement in Tehran, Iran. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The main focus of this thesis is squatter housing in Tehran. In order to study this, the thesis commences with an examination of the nature of and trends in migration to Tehran. Two forms of migration are studied. First, rural-urban migration and second, intra-urban migration. The thesis analyses the factors involved in the initiation and the development of these movements. The housing situations of migrants are examined in detail, and particular reference is made to the implications for the future development of housing policy in Iran. To get the context for the empirical study, a literature review is undertaken. This examines theoretical and empirical approaches to the study of migration and low-income housing in developing countries. I then briefly describe the political geography of Iran with specific reference to the history and administration of city planning. This section concludes with an examination of government data on the processes of urbanisation and migration in Iran, particular emphasis being placed upon the development of Tehran. The second empirical section analyses the result of a survey of 264 households which I undertook between February and June 1986. The survey was performed in two squatter settlements in Tehran and provides detailed information of the housing and socio-economic characteristics of households pre- and post-migration and the housing aspirations of the squatters. The study highlights the importance of home-ownership for migrants and analyses in detail the processes by which migrants adjust to become permanent urban residents. Analysis of the results of the survey leads on to elaboration of the linkages between the processes indicated and the history of housing policy. I conclude by discussing the importance of individual and community aspirations and needs in determining the future of housing policy. These are indicated to have relevance for developing countries other than Iran.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Urban planning, Social structure, Middle Eastern studies
• Date of Award: 1991
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1991-78237
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 28 Feb 2020 12:09
• Last Modified: 28 Feb 2020 12:09
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/78237