Town and Country Planning

Town and Country Planning

The Spatial Organization Logic of Residents' Collective Actions for Local Infrastructure Provision (Case Study: Khajeh Rabi Informal Settlement, Mashhad)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Saleh Ebrahimipour
Katayoon Alizadeh
Department of Geography, Faculty of Theology and Foreign Languages, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
10.22059/jtcp.2026.415158.670557
Abstract
Objective: The rapid expansion of informal settlements in metropolitan areas such as Mashhad has intensified challenges related to the provision of basic urban infrastructure. While previous studies have primarily focused on infrastructure deficits or residents' collective action independently, limited attention has been paid to the spatial logic through which collective actions are organized within informal settlements. This study aims to identify and explain the spatial logics governing community-led infrastructure provision in the Khajeh Rabi informal settlement of Mashhad. Method: This research employed an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design. In the quantitative phase, data were collected from 370 households using proportionate stratified random sampling and analyzed through descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and two-step cluster analysis. In the qualitative phase, 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted with local leaders, community activists, and residents with experience in community-based infrastructure initiatives. Interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis to explain and interpret the quantitative findings. Results: The findings revealed that community-led infrastructure provision follows three distinct spatial logics: localized reactive action (33.8%), center–radial organization (29.4%), and fragmented/dispersed action (36.8%). Multiple regression analysis showed that social capital (β = 0.43) and perceived tenure security (β = 0.29) were the strongest predictors of collective infrastructure action, with the model explaining 51% of the variance (R² = 0.51). Cluster analysis indicated that the center–radial pattern was concentrated around neighborhood social nodes, particularly mosques and religious centers, whereas fragmented patterns predominated in the peripheral areas characterized by limited accessibility and weaker social cohesion. Qualitative findings further identified a mechanism through which spatial isolation reduces neighborhood interaction, weakens trust and local networks, and ultimately leads to fragmented individual responses rather than organized collective action. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that infrastructure provision in informal settlements is not merely a response to service deficiencies but is shaped by the interaction between social capital, perceived tenure security, and residents' spatial perceptions. Unlike formal neighborhoods, where infrastructure is predominantly provided through institutional mechanisms, collective action in informal settlements functions as a complementary governance mechanism for addressing infrastructure shortages. The study proposes a conceptual model integrating collective action theory, spatial behavior theory, and the social production of space to explain the spatial organization of community initiatives. From a policy perspective, strengthening neighborhood social nodes, improving physical accessibility in peripheral areas, and incorporating community organizations into urban infrastructure planning can substantially enhance the effectiveness and spatial equity of infrastructure provision in informal settlements.
Keywords
informal settlements
collective action
spatial logic
infrastructure provision
social capital
spatial behavior
Subjects
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Town and Country Planning
Volume 18, Issue 1
Spring & Summer 2026
April 2026
Pages 121-147

  • Receive Date 25 May 2026
  • Revise Date 30 June 2026
  • Accept Date 18 July 2026