Evaluation of the Socio-Economic Impacts of Urban Intervention Projects in Informal Settlements: A Case Study of 45-Meter Engelab Street from the Perspective of the Second Generation of Residents

Document Type : Article extracted from dissertations

Authors

1 M.Sc. in Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Planning and Environmental Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

2 Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Planning and Environmental Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract
Abstract
Background and Aim: The rapid growth of urbanization and the inability of formal planning systems to meet the needs of low-income groups have led to the formation of informal settlements in many Iranian cities. These settlements often face social, economic, and physical challenges, and urban interventions in the form of regeneration projects are implemented with the aim of improving living conditions. However, evaluating the impacts of such interventions has always been one of the major challenges in urban policy-making, especially when the perspectives of different generations of residents are overlooked.

Methodology: The present study aims to assess the social and economic impacts of urban intervention projects in informal settlements, focusing on a case study of the 45-Meter Engelab Street in the Khalilabad neighborhood of Tabriz from the perspective of the second generation of residents. The research is applied in nature and employs a mixed-methods approach (quantitative–qualitative). Data were collected through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews and analyzed using SPSS and MAXQDA software.

Results and Discussion: The findings revealed that the social impacts of the project were dual in nature: on the one hand, it led to increased security, improved accessibility, and strengthened sense of place attachment; on the other hand, it weakened traditional neighborhood relations and reduced social capital and organized participation. Economically, the most significant outcome of the project was the increase in property values, while indicators such as employment opportunities, government support, and local business activity showed no significant change. The comparison of quantitative and qualitative data indicated consistency between the results. Overall, the findings suggest that the regeneration of informal settlements can lead to sustainable improvement in living conditions only when social and economic dimensions are considered alongside physical aspects and the perspectives of different generations of residents are simultaneously taken into account.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 03 December 2025

  • Receive Date 12 August 2025
  • Revise Date 29 September 2025
  • Accept Date 01 December 2025
  • First Publish Date 03 December 2025
  • Publish Date 03 December 2025