Improving Informal Settlements through Empowerment

Urban development in the country as a whole and in Tehran in particular has become inconsistent due to spatial reflection of informal settlements. This problem can neither be left alone to itself nor can it be solved through a segmental، selective and scattered approach. The formation of informal settlements is an evidence for the presence of structural obstacles as well as the inefficiency of current housing policies and related services for the urban low income group in the large scale. On the lower scale also، weak urban management، existence of unofficial interest sources and influential local groups، and the unsystematic approaches towards the acceptance or rejection of such settlements have all intensified the problem. Therefore، if we are to solve the problems of this type of settlements، a careful and precise planning for improvement and empowerment is deemed necessary. Baghershahr in the southern part of Tehran is one of these informal settlements which under the influence of the country''s economical-social system and that of metropolitan Tehran، has witnessed major physical changes particularly since 1350s onward. What this article seeks to consider is an understanding of the formation process and the social-economical and physical characteristics of Baghershahr informal settlement as a whole and «Baba Jafari» Neighborhood as a part and also to provide a program for its improvement and empowerment.