Challenges and Prospects of Urban Land Management: The Case of Bichena Town Administration, Amhara National Regional State
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2012-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In an urban area, land is a critical resource where all social, economic and
environmental activities takeplace. Studies indicate that, currently, many urban
centers are facing different challenges such as limited institutional capacity, poor
urban land market, weak urban governance, and poor land information system,
which retard desired outcomes of land as a basic resource. The objectives of this
study are fowfold: i) identifYing instituitional capacity of the MuniCipality in
Bichena town, ii) evaluating the land market system of the study area, iii) assessing
the problems of good governance, and ivY evaluating the land information system of
the Municipality. A sample size of 140 respondents was taken from the local
residents. Moreover, professionals and the Manager of the Municipality were
interviewed. Both primOly and secondary data were collected through
questionnaire, interview, and observation. Once the data collected, edited and
managed, both quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted. Findings of
the study show that the demand for land for residential purposes is increasing from
time to time. But because the demand and supply of land is not balanced leading to
informal selliements. Important governance factors contributing to such problems
include weak institutional capacity of the MuniCipality in the field of skilled
manpower and financial terms, poor land information system, lack of good
governance with reagard to transparency and accountability. Findings of the stuay
also indicate that land speculation and the establishment of unstandardized housing
are prevalent problems allributed to poor governance of urban land. Therefore, the
town administration and the Municipality along with other relevant stakeholders
should work together so as to allievate the aforementioned challenges as per the
rules and the regulatios set. The ANRS should also support the town administration
interms of long term and short term training to enhance the human capital of the
Municipality thereby help bring about an all rounded development in the town.
Key words: land management, good governance, land speculation, informal
settlements, sub-standardized housing
Description
Keywords
land management, good governance, land speculation, informal settlements, sub-standardized housing