A Sociological Analysis Of The Commodification Of Land And Speculation In The Housing Market; The Role Of Municipalities And Housing Cooperatives In Addressing The Crisis (Case Study: Tabriz Metropolis)
Subject Areas : Development
Seyed Hosein Sadri
1
,
Eghbaleh Azizkhani
2
*
,
Mehrdad Mohammadian
3
,
Mirfarhad Mir Sedig Mohamadi
4
1 - University, Khalkhal BranDepartment of Sociology, Kha.C., Islamic Azad University, Khalkhal, Iran.ch, Khalkhal, Iran.
2 - Department of Sociology, Kha.C., Islamic Azad University, Khalkhal, Iran.
3 - Department of Sociology, Kha.C., Islamic Azad University, Khalkhal, Iran.
4 - Department of Management, Kha.C., Islamic Azad University, Khalkhal, Iran.
Keywords: Speculation, Real Estate Market, Housing Prices, Sociological Analysis, Commodification, Tabriz City, Municipality.,
Abstract :
Studies indicate that speculation and investment practices in the real estate market play a significant role in driving up housing prices. This trend exacerbates the housing crisis, limits access to housing for ordinary social groups, and displaces them from desirable neighborhoods. The aim of this study is to provide a sociological analysis of the phenomenon of land commodification and speculation in Tabriz's housing market, with a focus on the role of municipalities and housing cooperatives in mitigating this crisis. A mixed-methods approach (qualitative–quantitative) was adopted. In the qualitative phase, grounded theory was employed to analyze the data, while in the quantitative phase, a survey was the main data collection tool. The study analyzed the factors, contexts, consequences, and strategies of land and housing speculation, as well as the relationship between the actions of municipalities and housing cooperatives and this phenomenon. The statistical population comprised urban experts in the fields of sociology and economics, selected through purposive sampling. Data collection tools included a semi-structured interview based on open and axial coding in the qualitative phase, and a researcher-designed questionnaire validated using Cronbach’s alpha in the quantitative phase. The data were analyzed using AMOS software. The findings showed that the path coefficient for municipal performance → commodification and speculation was estimated at 0.464 with a negative relationship, and the coefficient of determination was 0.215. Similarly, the path coefficient for cooperatives’ performance → commodification and speculation was estimated at 0.391 with a negative relationship, and the coefficient of determination was 0.152.