Objective: The persistent expansion of urban informal settlements remains a critical challenge in many developing countries. Over recent decades, an international consensus has formed around upgrading such settlements—an approach Iran has adopted and implemented in several cities under labels such as upgrading, regularizing, and regeneration. This paper assesses the achievements and challenges of a series of regularizing and enabling projects formulated under a specific integrated program for the informal settlements of Bandar Abbas.
Method: Field research was conducted in the Chahstaniha neighborhood, where a large part of program activities were concentrated. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and direct observation.
Results: Findings indicate a mixed outcome. Certain projects aligned well with residents’ needs and successfully garnered participation and satisfaction. However, several social and environmental initiatives faced significant difficulties, including lack of sustainability and absence of local community engagement. Major overarching concerns included the neglect of necessary institution-building, a lack of integration and synergy among measures, and consistent non-adherence to planned time schedules.
Conclusions: These results mirror those of previous upgrading experiences across Iran, suggesting slow policy learning and limited progress. Persistent issues—such as ongoing institutional fragmentation, insufficient inter-sectoral coordination, and unstable financing—continue to undermine the long-term effectiveness and viability of such upgrading programs.