Identifying the informal settlements’ physical development principles as a context-based pattern using the Meta-synthesis method

Deliberation of generated knowledge about informal settlements leads to the identification of two critical theoretical gaps. firstly, although contextualism has entered into urban planning discussions, its place as an independent theoretical framework for explaining the development process of informal settlements seems vacant. Secondly, the theoretical literature of urbanism lacks a comprehensive framework obtained by contextual analysis of the physical development pattern of these settlements.

The study aims to analyze the context to explain the physical development of informal settlements using a contextualism perspective. In other words, this study attempts to formulate a coherent theoretical framework of the informal settlement’s physical development planning principles in a contextual interpretation.

The study used the meta-synthesis method with Sandlosky and Barros seven-step model. Firstly, 422 articles were obtained through a systematic search. Finally, 27 articles were selected for inclusion through the screening process using rayyan.ai. Then the selected papers were inductively coded using MAXQDA 2020 based on the research questions, and the next steps were devoted to analyzing and synthesizing the concepts extracted.

The extraction process led to the identification of 1092 codes. The combination process of the codes resulted in the designation of one lateral category; articles’ descriptive information, and five main categories; macro context, local context, the function of context, the response to the context, and interventionist factors. The next part of the outcomes were four sorts of principles related to the physical development of informal settlements includes; process, product, management, and regulations.

Firstly, informal settlements are a context-based phenomenon consequently, to understand the logic governing them, it is necessary to analyze the context at macro and local scales. Secondly, the development principles of informal settlements are evolving and upgrading cyclically, and continuously. Therefore, these settlements have the potential dynamics necessary to adapt incrementally to the changing needs and conditions and operate resilient, affordable, and sustainable.