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

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.