Spatial distribution and effects of informal housing in Babylon Governorate: Al-Muhandiseen neighborhood as a model

Abstract

Unplanned and informal housing represents the lowest level of residential development , relying primarily on individual construction efforts. This type of housing typically consists of shacks or small dwellings built from wood, corrugated metal sheets, or mud, and in some cases, recycled materials such as used fabric and cardboard. This type of informal settlement is found worldwide, but is more common in developing countries, where it usually appears as densely clustered shacks, either in linear patterns or in irregular and unplanned layouts. People may resort to this type of housing temporarily or permanently for various reasons. Among the most prominent reasons is displacement caused by civil or international conflicts, which often lead to the destruction of populated areas, as well as natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes. Under these circumstances, affected populations seek safer places, even if those places are informal settlements. These dwellings are typically constructed using readily available local materials such as wood, mud, corrugated metal sheets, cardboard, and sometimes secondhand fabrics. The choice of materials is largely determined by the residents' economic circumstances. Wooden or brick shacks generally require higher construction costs due to the need for skilled labor and the relatively high cost of raw materials. This study examines an informal settlement in one of the districts of Hilla as a case study. representing the widespread phenomenon of informal housing that has become a prominent feature in many urban centers in our region