Analyzing the Structures and Mechanisms Affecting the Informal Processes‏ ‏Causing Sprawl in the Tehran Metropolitan Region

The growth and expansion of metropolitan areas as a global phenomenon is becoming the dominant form of urbanization, especially in developing countries. Despite the increasing importance of this form of urban growth, not many studies have been carried out regarding the multidimensional dynamics of the factors and mechanisms that stimulate urban-regional sprawl. In the current research, the structures and mechanisms affecting the informal processes that generate spatial expansion of the Tehran metropolitan region have been analyzed. This research is qualitative and in-depth semi-structured interviews were used to collect information. The data analysis was based on the constructivist Grounded Theory approach. Research participants included university professors, city managers, and experts from the municipalities, governorships, road and urban development departments, National Land and Housing Organization, Agriculture-Jahad, Natural Resources departments, etc. The sampling method was targeted non-random and based on snowball sampling. According to the results, 289 key phrases were identified in the initial coding, 130 concepts were identified in the centralized coding, 64 subcategories were identified in the axial coding, and finally, 34 broad main categories were identified in the theoretical coding. In total, according to the output of theoretical coding, all broad main categories in the form of 7 integrated main categories formed the theoretical model of the research. According to data analysis, economic and political economy structures, fundamental structures, legal structures, and judicial structures at the macro level and organizational-institutional structures and private and social sectors at the middle level affect the informal processes underlying land acquisition and the spatial expansion of the Tehran metropolitan region.