Urban Planning

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Browsing Urban Planning by Subject "Affordability"

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    Micro-Housing as Alternative For Urban Housing Shortages: The Case of Lideta Subcity, Addis Ababa Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2026-06-01) Yetimwerk Abebe; Asfaw Mohamed
    In developing countries, micro-housing has emerged as a critical strategy to optimize scarce urban land and provide dignified shelter for rapidly growing low-income populations. Urban housing shortages in Addis Ababa have intensified due to rapid population growth, limited land availability, and inadequate affordable housing supply. Despite its global promise, empirical evidence on its socio-spatial viability and regulatory feasibility in African urban contexts remains critically underexplored. This study investigates the potential of micro-housing compact, efficiently designed residential units as a viable alternative for low-income residents in Lideta Sub-City. Using mixed methods data from 138 micro-housing residents and supplementary insights from institutional stakeholders, the research examines current housing conditions, user satisfaction, socioeconomic impacts, and implementation barriers. Findings indicate that prior housing conditions were widely characterized by severe spatial constraints, inadequate amenities and financial strain whereas transitioning to micro-housing yielded marked improvements in perceived housing yielded marked improvements in perceived housing quality, access to essential services and overall socioeconomic stability. Residents consistently recognized micro-housing as a contextually appropriate and economically viable solution for low-income households. However, broader adoption remains constrained by limited access to housing finance, out dated regulatory frameworks a persistent cultural misconception regarding compact living. To overcome these constraints, municipal authorities should revise building codes to formally recognize compact unit typologies and streamline approval process for high density developments near transit corridors. Concurrently, financial institutions and government agencies must collaborate to develop alternative credit assessment mechanisms and inclusive financing models that accommodate informal earners. Finally targeted public awareness campaigns and participatory design initiatives should be implemented to reframe micro-housing as a sustainable urban living model and foster broader community acceptance. This study concludes that micro-housing represents a highly promising, demand driven strategy for addressing Addis Ababa’s housing defect, provided it is supported by adaptive policy frameworks and cross sector collaboration. Ultimately, this research contributes a localized, evidence-based framework for integrating compact housing into mainstream urban development policies across rapidly urbanizing African cities.