Towards a configurational typology of informal settlements: A syntactic analysis of informal settlements in Nagpur

Informal settlement serves as a critical means in the production of urban space in the Global South. Understanding the productive processes of self-organization and emergent morphological patterns is crucial not only in upgrading and integrating informal settlements but also in informing the practices of urban planning and design for shaping better urban places and public spaces. Contributing to the emerging literature on forms of informal settlement, this article presents a syntactic study of the configurational characteristics of 371 informal settlements in the city of Nagpur, India. The study identifies 18 different types based on four analytical variables generated using Space Syntax analysis—specifically, choice and integration at both local and global levels. The versatility and spread of these types indicate the flexibility of emergent informal settlements under a multitude of scenarios and conditions. The findings highlight the relations between formal and informal parts of the access network by showcasing the higher integration and choice values of the case studies when compared to the larger urban grid. The article contributes to the development of a typological framework for the classification of informal settlements based on their configurational characteristics.