Document Type : Original Article
Authors
Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to analyze the impact of climate-induced migration on the expansion of informal settlements (marginalization) in the metropolitan city of Mashhad, Iran.
Methods: This mixed-methods (quantitative-qualitative) study was conducted with a statistical population of 384 migrants residing in informal settlements in Mashhad (selected via cluster sampling) and 20 semi-structured interviews with experts. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire (Total Cronbach’s α = 0.84) and interviews, and were analyzed using path analysis, regression, and thematic analysis.
Findings: Quantitative findings revealed that climatic pressures (β = 0.59) and spatial inequality (β = 0.44) had a direct and significant impact on marginalization. Furthermore, climate migration indirectly affected this phenomenon through reducing socio-economic resilience (β = -0.32). Qualitative findings identified five main themes: Migration as a Response to Livelihood Crisis, Reproduction of Inequality, Weak Resilience, Policy Vacuum, and An Uncertain Future.
Conclusion: The results confirm that climate migration, in the absence of supportive policies, is not only an emergency response but also a factor in the reproduction of poverty and spatial inequality. Managing this phenomenon requires the development of integrated, justice-oriented policies and planning to enhance resilience in both sending and receiving areas.
Keywords
Main Subjects
)