Challenges and Prospects of Urban Land Management: The Case of Bichena Town Administration, Amhara National Regional State

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Date

2012-06

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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

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Keywords

land management, good governance, land speculation, informal settlements, sub-standardized housing

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