Explaining the displacement of the poor from central urban areas to the peripheries in Iran's metropolises (Case study: Mashhad metropolis and its surrounding areas)

Urban transformations over recent decades, especially in developing countries, have intensified the displacement of economically disadvantaged populations from central urban areas to peripheral regions, a phenomenon increasingly recognized as a major challenge in urban planning. This displacement results from multiple, intertwined factors, including social, economic, cultural, and political forces that restrict access to essential resources and services segments of society. At its core, the issue highlights the widening gap between affluent and impoverished residents, where rising costs, limited employment opportunities, and inadequate infrastructure in central urban spaces render living there unfeasible for lower-income populations. As a result, these groups often relocate to the city periphery, which, while more affordable, is typically underserved in terms of essential services, quality infrastructure, and socioeconomic opportunities. Understanding this phenomenon requires a comprehensive analysis of the complex interactions among urban morphology, governance, and social dynamics. Urban morphology, which involves the spatial structure and form of cities, significantly affects how resources and opportunities are distributed. In central urban areas, the high demand for housing and the rising land values often lead to speculative practices that drive prices beyond the reach of economically disadvantaged groups. Governance structures, on the other hand, play a critical role in shaping urban policies that may inadvertently favor higher-income groups by supporting land-use patterns that prioritize commercial development and upscale housing. Social dynamics, including cultural and identity-based factors, further complicate the displacement of lower-income groups, creating environments where marginalized communities experience a diminished sense of belonging and a lack of representation in decision-making processes. This study focuses on exploring these issues through the lens of Iranian metropolises, with a specific focus on Mashhad and its surrounding areas. In analyzing the displacement of the poor from central urban areas to peripheral regions, we employed a dual approach combining qualitative interviews and document review, with a critical paradigm underpinning our research framework. We utilized critical discourse analysis to interpret the data, allowing for a nuanced examination of the narratives surrounding urban displacement and the factors driving it. By scrutinizing the language and discourse used in policy documents and interviews, we aimed to uncover the invisible forces and power dynamics that shape urban policies and contribute to the exclusion of low-income groups from central urban areas. Structural and social factors combine to fuel the displacement of economically marginalized groups. Limited job opportunities in central areas, high housing prices, and soaring living costs significantly contribute to this issue. Speculators drive up land prices, and those engaged in rent-seeking behavior further worsen the affordability crisis. Power imbalances and top-down decisions often prevent disadvantaged groups from influencing the policies that directly affect their lives. The "right to the city" becomes a critical issue as city planners and decision-makers frequently deny marginalized groups equitable access to urban resources and opportunities. Identity-based and cultural differences also contribute, with individuals from diverse backgrounds often-experiencing subtle exclusion, which fosters a sense of non-belonging in the central urban landscape. This marginalization deepens social inequality and gradually undermines the cohesion and resilience of urban communities.