Selecting a new pattern for the betterment of informal settlements in Iran

Nowadays, informal settlement phenomenon is in the top of the list of urban management issues in majority of big and medium sized cities of Iran. Despite of various interventions in recent decades, significant change cannot be seen. One of the most important reasons of this situation is the theoretical passivity alongside with obsolescence of informal settlements' literature in Iran, since localization of Enabling Paradigm. The main goal of the present research is to select a new pattern for betterment of informal settlements through scrutinizing new approaches toward betterment of informal settlements. Exploring different References, 42 approaches has been identified. Through Grounded Theory and applying open coding, axial coding, and central coding processes, 5 different classifications have been recognized, consisting of coverage-based, authenticity-based, dependence-based, extent-based, and nature-based classifications. the Nature-based classification which is the synonym for conceptual hierarchy, consisting of paradigm, theory, approach, strategy, pattern, and, plan, has been chosen as the main classification.  According to research priorities which are Comprehensiveness, applicability, and repeatability, among 6 classes, pattern class has been chosen. Based on the coverage-based classification, among 15 identified patterns, 7 of them are comprehensive and subsequently opt to identify. Precisely applying the Delphi-AHP technique, based on the opinions of 24 specialists and 7 criteria, in situ upgrading has been selected as the best pattern. Also, collaborative housing as the second pattern and city Development as the suitable pattern in equiponderant condition, are worth mentioning patterns for the betterment of informal settlements in Iran.