Comparative Analysis of the Performance of Facilitation Offices in Empowerment and Neighborhood Development in Informal Settlements of Tabriz Metropolis

Shali, Mohammad; Emamzadeh, Hosna

doi:10.22034/gahr.2025.562200.2632

Comparative Analysis of the Performance of Facilitation Offices in Empowerment and Neighborhood Development in Informal Settlements of Tabriz Metropolis

Document Type : thesis

Authors

Mohammad Shali ¹

Hosna Emamzadeh ²

¹ Assistant Professor of Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR)

² M.Sc. in Urban planning, Urban planning Department, Seraj Higher Education Institute, Tabriz, Iran.

10.22034/gahr.2025.562200.2632

Abstract

Informal settlements are among the most significant challenges of urban management in Iranian metropolises, and effective engagement with them requires community-based, participatory, and empowerment-oriented approaches. Neighborhood facilitation offices were established with this aim; however, their actual effectiveness across different neighborhoods has rarely been comparatively assessed. The present study aimed to measure and compare the performance of facilitation offices in four informal settlement neighborhoods of Tabriz Metropolis. The research adopted a descriptive–analytical and applied approach. Data were collected in 2022 from 382 residents using a researcher-designed questionnaire and analyzed through partial least squares-based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The main variables—including office performance, training and empowerment, participation, and social, economic, and physical outcomes—were evaluated within a conceptual model, while urban governance indicators were also considered to complement the analysis. The results indicated that office performance varied across neighborhoods and depended directly on the quality of local governance, managerial stability, institutional capacity, and the office’s connection with neighborhood social networks. The Malazinal office, and to some extent the Ghorbani office, showed the highest effectiveness in training, participation, transparency, accountability, and achieving social and physical outcomes, whereas the Idealoo and Khalilabad offices demonstrated lower effectiveness due to institutional instability, office relocation, managerial changes, and weak social connections. Path analysis revealed that office performance is the main driver of empowerment and participation, and neighborhoods where the cycle of performance, empowerment, participation, and outcomes functioned more completely experienced stronger social and physical outcomes. Overall, the success of facilitation offices depended less on macro-level policies and more on institutional coherence, continuous presence in the neighborhood, quality of human resources, and the ability to coordinate across organizations—factors that can either facilitate or constrain community-based development in informal settlements.

Keywords

Facilitation Offices

Informal Settlements

Neighborhood Development

Tabriz Metropolis

Subjects

human geography

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