‘I’m always home’: social infrastructure and women’s personal mobility patterns in informal settlements in Iran

Abstract

The impact of different places on women’s practices has not been much explored in the context of informal settlements in Iran, where they face many restrictions due to socio-cultural norms. Using a qualitative approach, this paper investigates how different geographies of place affect women’s practices for social interaction and physical activity. This research is based on primary data collection through interviews and transect walks in Moradab Hill, which is an informal settlement in Iran. The research shows that unlike the studies that emphasise the benefit of parks, in this case women’s social life flourished on streets and in private and semi-private everyday places such as shops, areas around houses, and workplaces. The results show a considerable difference in the impact of different urban fabrics on women’s practices. Fine urban grain with small accessible shops increased women's perception of safety and visibility on streets. It allowed practices of social greetings and mobility. Self-built single-family houses encouraged outdoor social practices with neighbours. Conversely, those women who were moved to high-rise buildings in the same area as part of the neighbourhood regeneration found themselves restricted by high-rise typology and felt unsafe or uncomfortable going outside or to the parks. Parks that are proposed as a part of the regeneration plans are primarily appropriated by men whereas women are dependent on private and semi-private spaces as social infrastructure, with high-rise typology being a threat to personal mobility under the current socio-cultural norms.